Asian markets traded mostly lower in early deals on Thursday, saddled by the risk aversion following rising bond yields, anticipations of more measured approach in Fed's interest rate path, cautiousness ahead to upcoming US election, and ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Additionally, technical correction after previous sessional rallies also pressured the indices. Japan’s Nikkei slipped as the market awaited Japan’s general election this weekend and a slew of corporate earnings reports. As per reports, private sector activity in Japan contracted for the first time in four months during October as both manufacturing and services sectors slumped.
Nikkei 225 slipped by 39.98 points 0.09% to 38,064.88, Hang Seng down by 205.11 points 0.99% to 20,555.04, KOSPI Index narrowed by 6.04 points or 0.23% to 2,593.58, Jakarta Composite dipped by 24.87 points or 0.32% to 7,762.70, Taiwan Weighted diminished by 68.21 points or 0.29% to 23,266.55, Shanghai Composite declined by 16.63 points or 0.51% to 3,286.17, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI curtailed by 6.10 points or 0.37% to 1,635.43.
On the flip side, Straits Times up by 19.56 points 0.54% to 3,620.34.