(RTTNews) – Asian stocks fell sharply on Monday as China battled a record number of COVID-19 cases and Russian officials controlling Europe’s largest nuclear power plant accused Kyiv of bombing the area.
China reported the death of another 3 people after contracting COVID-19. This is the first COVID-related death reported by the Chinese mainland since May.
As Russia and Ukraine handle the weekend bombing near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the head of the U. N. nuclear watchdog warned that anyone who fires artillery at the plant “will play with fire. “
China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 0. 39% to 3,085. 04 after several cities in the country, in addition to Beijing and Shanghai, imposed strict restrictions to involve new COVID-19 outbreaks.
Japanese stocks fluctuated before ending higher after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway increased its stake in the country’s five largest trading houses. The Nikkei average rose 0. 16% to 27,944. 79 while the broader Topix index ended 0. 28% at 1,972. 57.
The Marubeni retail space closed up 2. 1% after hitting a record 1,514 yen the previous day. Sompo Holdings plunged 8% after posting a loss in the six months ended Sept. 30.
Seoul stocks fell, with the Kospi falling 1. 02% to 2,419. 50 amid the pandemic, geopolitical uncertainties and interest rates.
Australian markets ended lower, dragged down by losses in the mining and energy sectors. Santos, Woodside Energy, BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals Group lost between 1 and 4%. The big 4 banks rose between 0. 6% and 1. 5% due to expectations that it will take advantage of higher interest rates.
Reference point S
In Tasmania as a whole, New Zealand’s benchmark S index
U. S. stocks struggled to get their bearings before ending higher on Friday, but posted weekly losses as weak home sales knowledge and key economic signals failed to ease investors’ considerations about the Federal Reserve’s financial tightening path.
The Dow Jones 0. 6% and the S