Asia-Pacific markets mixed as Middle East tensions rise; investors assess Powell rate cut comments

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Monday amid escalating tensions in the Middle East with Israel and Hezbollah trading strikes, while investors assessed dovish comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

Over the weekend, Reuters reported Israel's Air Force struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, shortly before the Iran-backed armed group launched over 320 rockets toward Israel.

Hezbollah said this was in retaliation for Israel's assassination of Fuad Shukr, a senior commander, last month.

However, the group signaled it was not preparing for more strikes, while Israel's Foreign Minister said the country did not want a full-scale war, Reuters added.

Oil prices climbed following the strikes, with Brent crude up 0.62% at $79.52 and U.S. West Texas Intermediate rising 0.63% to $75.34.

In Asia, investors will assess medium-term lending rates from China's central bank on Monday, and Singapore's manufacturing numbers for July.

Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.09%, while the Topix lost 1.13%. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.33% to trade at 143.9, its strongest level since the Aug. 5 stock sell-off.

South Korea's Kospi dropped 0.24%, and the small cap Kosdaq inched down 0.96%.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.68%.

Hong Kong Hang Seng index rose 0.99%, but the mainland Chinese CSI 300 index inched 0.15% lower.

On Friday in the U.S., all three major indexes rose after Powell's comments, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 1.14%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.47%. The S&P 500 gained 1.15%.

Powell on Friday signaled cuts to the Federal Funds rate, though he did not reveal the quantum or the exact timing of the reductions.

"The time has come for policy to adjust," the central bank leader said at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. "The