Asian markets remained under pressure on Monday, though sharp early selling eased in afternoon trade as some bourses clawed back part of their steep losses sparked by surging oil prices and escalating Middle East tensions.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index ended down 348 points, or 1.35 percent, at 25,408.

The China enterprises index was 46 points, or 0.54 percent, lower at 8,581 while the tech index was down almost six points, or 0.12 percent, at 4,941.

Up north, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index ended down 27 points, or 0.67 percent, at 4,096.

The Shenzhen Component Index was 105 points, or 0.74 percent, lower at 14,067 while the ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was 20 points, or 0.64 percent, down at 3,208.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei shed 2,892 points, or 5.2 percent, to hit 52,728, its lowest close since February 2, while the broader Topix slipped 141 points, or 3.8 percent, to 3,576..

In Seoul the benchmark Kospi closed down 333 points, or 5.96 percent, at 5,251, after falling as much as 8.75 percent earlier in the session. (Reuters)


Edited by Tony Sabine