Fears over Iran-Israel cause some equities to fall

An Iranian strike on Israel severely damaged risk appetite on Monday, and ongoing worries about higher-for-longer U.S. interest rates also contributed to the strong decline in the majority of Asian markets.

Beijing pledged greater assistance, and Chinese equities ended the day as the only performers, rising from a low point that had been reached more than a month earlier.

Wall Street, which fell on Friday due to mounting concerns about rate cuts and disappointing outcomes from big banks, provided a poor lead-in for regional markets. In Asian trade, however, U.S. stock index futures saw a little increase.

Among the worst-performing stocks of the day was Japan's Nikkei 225, which lost 1.2% as investors kept locking in profits close to recent record highs.

Sentiment was not much lifted by data indicating a resurgence in core equipment orders through February, which points to increased capital investment. For Japanese markets, the release of the consumer price index data for March—which is anticipated later this week—is crucial.

Following the announcement of higher-than-expected inflation figures during the last week, markets also substantially reduced their expectations of an early reduction in interest rates.

Chinese equities rise as a result of government assistance.

Local media reports that the government promised greater assistance for local capital markets also contributed to the positive sentiment around local equities.

Significant state funds backed by the government were also observed purchasing shares of China's heavyweight banks, which was a major source of support for the country's stock indexes.

Chinese markets were in disarray following a slew of unfavourable economic reports released last week, including trade and inflation figures for March that fell short of forecasts.

(Sources: investing.com, reuters.com)