US inflation, currency and rate moves, and the fallout from the first US presidential race TV debate all weighed on investor sentiment on Wednesday
Investors were in cautious mood ahead of Wednesday’s latest US inflation figures while China’s woes also distracted traders
The outlook for the US and Chinese economies saw investors ditch equities, sending bourses across the region intro retreat
All eyes were on US jobs figures due out later in the day as Tokyo extended its losing streak to four days while China stocks hit seven-month lows
Looming jobs figures from the US saw another subdued day of trading with currency moves and China stimulus the main focus
Downbeat US manufacturing data and a turnaround in enthusiasm for AI darling Nvidia saw tech stocks dumped across the region
Investors remained cautious for a second successive day while China’s property woes saw its banks take a profits hit
A key US jobs report due on Friday saw many investors stay on the sidelines and regional markets react to domestic cues
Investors will be listening keenly to Jerome Powell when he speaks at a central bank event in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Weak consumer demand in China though cast a shadow, putting the brakes on any surges in equities across the region
Equities across the region fell into the red on Wednesday as investors held back ahead of the release of key US jobs data
Increased hopes that the US will dodge a recession and shortening odds on a Fed rate cut soon encouraged risk-taking