Escalating tensions in the Middle East and the threat of open conflict between Israel and Iran also darkened the mood on trading floors

Escalating tensions in the Middle East put pressure on equities while gold and the US dollar strengthened

The region’s investors were pulled in different directions on another mixed day for Asia’s markets as the odds lengthened on a long-awaited U-turn on US rates

Hotter-than-expected US inflation lengthened the odds on an imminent interest rate cut and pushed investors into Treasuries and dollars

Fitch’s revision of its China growth forecast sparked a minor domestic slide but was mostly absorbed without much fuss elsewhere in Asia

Investors across the region were keeping their powder dry ahead of the release of the latest economic figures out of China and the US

There was an inconsistent theme to the region's equity markets on Monday amid US rates uncertainty and no clear messages from Beijing on new stimulus

The Nikkei index in Tokyo saw a second straight weekly loss, down 3.4% over the past five sessions, as it pulled back from an all-time high of 41,087.75

Tokyo’s benchmark passed the 40,000 again before retreating at the close on a subdued day of trading with Shanghai and Hong Kong closed

Increasing doubts over a Fed U-turn on rates and a powerful earthquake that could impact on chip supply chains weighed on sentiment

Investors responded to contrasting cues on Tuesday with positive data and negative bets affecting the mood on trading floors

Expectations of an easier US monetary policy also boosted investor sentiment across Asia after inflation data on Friday fuelled rate-cut hopes