Asian stocks today (March 18, 2026): Markets trade in green amid Middle East conflict; HSI remains flat, Nikkei gains over 3%

Asian equities mostly inched higher on Wednesday, tracking a pause in the recent rally in oil prices, even as investors remained cautious amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and awaited signals from the US Federal Reserve on interest rates. As of 9:15 am, Japan’s Nikkei was up 1,245.87 points or 2.32% to 54,946. South Korean Kospi was also trading in green, up 219.51 points or 3.39% at 5,859.99. Meanwhile, Shanghai was down 0.4% and Hong Kong’s HSI dropped 46 points. Shenzhen also gained 7 points. The geopolitical situation remained volatile. Israel escalated its offensive by killing Iran’s security chief,…