Asian Stocks Face Worst Week in 6 Years as West Asia Conflict Escalates

• Asian stocks head for their sharpest weekly loss in six years, with the MSCI Asia Pacific Index down 7% since the West Asia conflict began.
• Escalating tensions, renewed Iranian strikes, and the US-Israeli offensive are driving a broad pullback in risk appetite.
• Oil prices fluctuate amid supply concerns, with WTI crude on track for its biggest weekly gain since 2022 despite a daily dip.
• Fears of Strait of Hormuz disruption and higher oil prices revive inflation worries, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve's rate-cut path.
• The US dollar strengthened significantly, while investors await the US nonfarm payrolls report for economic clues.