Asian stock markets saw modest gains on Monday, with the MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rising 0.6%. The Nikkei futures increased slightly, while South Korean stocks jumped 2.6% after returning from a holiday. Oil prices steadied, with Brent crude at $108.30 per barrel, as investors focused on geopolitical developments in West Asia, particularly the U.S. efforts to assist ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Central banks are adopting a more hawkish stance, raising concerns about inflation, with expectations for rate hikes from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. The Federal Reserve's policy outlook may shift based on upcoming economic data, including the payrolls report for April, which analysts predict could show a rise of 60,000 jobs, although some forecasts suggest a potential drop. In currency markets, the U.S. dollar weakened slightly, reflecting uncertainty regarding developments in West Asia.