Most Asian stocks retreated on Monday as concerns over the Israel-Hamas war kept risk sentiment weak, with Japan’s Nikkei index leading losses amid jitters before key inflation data this week. 

Oil prices fell on Monday, partly reversing Friday's rally as investors wait to see if the Israel-Hamas conflict draws in other countries, which could drive up prices and deal a fresh blow to the global economy.

The dollar was on the front foot on Monday in cautious trade as tensions in the Middle East escalated, while investors awaited a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell later this week for further clues on the U.S. central bank's rate outlook.

Singapore's economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter, preliminary government data showed on Friday.

Britain's economy partially recovered in August after a sharp drop in July but the bigger picture remained one of only sluggish growth after last year's surge in inflation and 14 back-to-back interest rate hikes by the Bank of England.

Headline U.S. consumer prices grew at a faster-than-anticipated rate in September, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy decisions aimed at corraling elevated inflation.