Asia Stocks Slide as Iran Tensions Rise and China PMIs Send Mixed Signals

Asia stocks market slid sharply in early March 2026 as investors grappled with rising geopolitical risk and uneven economic signals. On March 4, South Korea’s Kospi plunged more than 12%, marking its worst day in history, while Japan’s and other regional indices also retreated amid heightened tension in the Middle East and fears of higher energy costs. China’s latest factory data added to the uncertainty, official PMI figures showed contraction in February, even as private surveys pointed to stronger external demand.