Asia-Pacific markets fell Thursday, tracking Wall Street losses overnight, as tensions between Iran and the U.S. keep oil prices elevated, stoking energy and inflation worries.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gave up 931.44 points, or 1.4%, of what it gained Wednesday, to finish at 67,470.69.
SoftBank Group dropped over 10% amid a broader decline in Asia tech stocks.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dropped 379.81 points, or 1.5%, to 25,253.40.
The Kuwait International Airport was struck by Iran early Wednesday, just a day after the U.S. Central Command said it had defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, as well as launched “self-defense strikes” on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. This was in response to “attempted attacks” by Tehran, it said.
If necessary, Israel and the U.S. are prepared to strike Iran again, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters.
West Texas Intermediate futures gained more than 2% to close at $96.02 U.S. on Wednesday, while international benchmark Brent crude advanced nearly 2% to settle at $97.81 per barrel. Futures were about 0.8% lower Thursday.
In other markets;
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 index docked 34.06 points, or 0.7%, to 4,904.75.
In Taiwan, the Taiex tumbled 781.70 points, or 1.7%, to 45,677.46.
In Singapore, the Straits Times 50 index subtracted 70.71 points, or 1.4%, to 5,067.53.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 lost 13.47 points, or 0.1%, to 13,101.61.
In Australia, the AZX 200 doffed 99.59 points, or 1.1%, to 8,686.13.
