Asian stocks today, July 20 -- Asian markets traded lower on Monday, 20 July, while oil prices climbed to their highest level in more than a month after tensions between the US and Iran intensified over the weekend following the latest attacks.

South Korea's Kospi fell 0.74% at the opening bell, while the small-cap Kosdaq index declined 1.66%.

Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.34%, while Japanese markets remained closed due to a public holiday.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were trading at 24,602, slightly above the benchmark index's Friday closing level of 24,562.24.

Brent crude climbed 3.8% to trade above $91 per barrel as the escalating conflict in West Asia added to concerns in already fragile global markets.

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