Asian markets were mostly lower Monday, with Japan and Australia both closing down. Skyrocketing oil prices remained the key theme as investors worried over the impact of record oil prices on the health of the global economy.
Asia experienced a selloff across the board, led by Shanghai's 5 percent tumble, after shares plunged on Wall Street and oil prices shot above $140 a barrel, fanning investors' fears of high inflation and slowing economic growth. Japan and South Korea finished 2% lower.
Asian markets were mostly flat Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept rates steady while the euro hit a record high against the yen on the prospects for a euro zone rate rise.
Asian markets pared back losses Wednesday, with Tokyo closing just slightly lower. Concerns about the U.S. economy cast a cloud over the session and trade remained cautious as investors awaited the outcome of the Fed's two-day meeting, which is expected to leave interest rates at 2%.
Asian markets drifted to a mixed close Tuesday, with trade kept largely muted as investors stayed cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate decision at the its two-day policy meeting starting later today. Japan and Australia closed flat.
Asian markets closed in the red Monday, but were well off their session lows as investors took the opportunity to buy beaten down stocks.
Asian markets were mixed Friday as regional stocks reacted to China's hiking of fuel prices. Trading has been volatile throughout the session with markets, particularly in Shanghai, making radical swings between positive and negative territory.
Asian stocks took a beating Thursday, after Wall Street closed at a three-month low, sparking fears of a pullback in export demand with oil prices remaining high and feeding a rally in safe-haven government bond prices. Japan shed 2.2 percent while Australia gave up 1.4 percent.
Asian markets staged a late rally Wednesday with Japan and South Korea closing in the black, as oil dipped for the fourth straight session, signaling lower costs for firms following a plan by top exporter Saudi Arabia to raise crude output.
Asian markets ended mixed Tuesday with the weaker U.S. dollar pushing exporters such as Canon to a weaker finish. But financial shares moved higher, helping to offsetting losses.
Asian markets rallied Monday after muted U.S. consumer price data and softer oil prices helped ease concerns about inflation and higher interest rates in the world's top economy. Japan closed 2.7% higher.
Asian markets staged a late rebound as persistent worries about inflation kept investors cautious for most of the morning session. However stocks rallied in the afternoon with Japan climbing over 1 percent.
Asian markets were mostly lower Wednesday, as a cloudy U.S. economic outlook and lingering inflation fears left investors skittish. Australia, Japan and South Korea all closed over 1 percent lower.