--- title: "Iran Situation | In March, the average loss of the Mandatory Provident Fund exceeded HKD 20,000, with all stock fund ratings declining" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/280584777.md" description: "Affected by the tense situation in Iran, global stock markets significantly declined in March, resulting in losses for Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) account holders. As of March 23, the MPF recorded an investment loss of approximately 6.3%, expected to be the worst-performing month since September 2022, with total assets projected to drop to about HKD 15.31 trillion, a decrease of HKD 100.3 billion from the end of February. The average account balance per member is HKD 319,345, down HKD 20,917 from the end of February. All types of equity funds suffered losses, particularly Japanese stocks, which recorded the largest monthly decline since October 2008" datetime: "2026-03-26T07:40:25.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/280584777.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/280584777.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/280584777.md) --- # Iran Situation | In March, the average loss of the Mandatory Provident Fund exceeded HKD 20,000, with all stock fund ratings declining Affected by the tense situation in Iran, global stock markets experienced significant declines multiple times in March, impacting holders of Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) accounts. MPF Ratings indicated that as March entered its final trading week, as of March 23, the MPF recorded an investment loss of approximately 6.3%, expected to be the worst-performing month since September 2022, and the seventh-largest monthly decline in history. After accounting for contributions, based on current investment performance, the total assets of the MPF are expected to drop to about HKD 15.31 trillion by the end of March, a decrease of HKD 100.3 billion from the end of February, equivalent to an average account balance of HKD 319,345 per member, down HKD 20,917 from the end of February. In absolute terms, the MPF investment loss is approximately HKD 103.3 billion, equivalent to a loss of HKD 21,542.7 per member. In response to rising energy prices raising concerns about inflation and economic growth, investors generally reduced their risk exposure, resulting in declines across all stock markets. MPF Ratings noted that various equity funds recorded losses across the board in March, with Japanese stocks expected to see the largest single-month decline since October 2008, while Hong Kong and Chinese stocks may record their worst monthly performance since October 2022. Francis Chung, Chairman of MPF Ratings, stated that considering the military intervention by the United States and Israel in Iran, which has led to significant increases in energy prices, market volatility, inflation, and recession concerns, this outcome is not surprising. The long-term performance of the MPF remains robust, with five-year and ten-year annualized returns of approximately 1.28% and 4.01%, respectively ### Related Stocks - [1330.JP](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/1330.JP.md) - [07515.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/07515.HK.md) - [1570.JP](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/1570.JP.md) - [1458.JP](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/1458.JP.md) - [1571.JP](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/1571.JP.md) - [513880.CN](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/513880.CN.md) - [1459.JP](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/1459.JP.md) - [1329.JP](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/1329.JP.md) - [07262.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/07262.HK.md) - [513520.CN](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/513520.CN.md) ## Related News & Research - [BOJ leaves interest rates unchanged as expected; warns on oil prices, inflation](https://longbridge.com/en/news/279714802.md) - [Japan's factory activity expands at strongest pace in 4 years, PMI shows](https://longbridge.com/en/news/283741379.md) - [BOJ debated near‑term rate hike at April meeting, opening door to June move](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286019662.md) - [Japan panel members urge BOJ to heed firms' funding strains amid Mideast tensions](https://longbridge.com/en/news/285916666.md) - [PKSHA Technology to Make Agile AI Developer Biz Freak a Subsidiary](https://longbridge.com/en/news/277173755.md)