Asian stock markets

Asia's emerging economies are better placed than most other regions to weather a bout of turbo-charged U.S.

Wall Street's streak of five straight records for the Dow and S&P 500 indices ended with a thud

Oil prices were down around 1.5 percent on the weak Chinese economic data.

The pound was holding up as British and European Union negotiators pressed ahead with talks on a trade deal with just over two weeks until the December 31 deadline.

Analysts warned that while the employment data were good, jobless claims were still elevated.

COVID-19 first emerged in China late last year, but Europe is now the biggest flashpoint and the death toll on the continent surged at the weekend.

Analysts warned of further gyrations as the outbreak shows no sign of abating, with more than 100,000 people infected in 99 countries.

Volumes are typically light during the holiday season, and the muted activity in Asia followed sleepy Christmas Eve sessions in many world markets.

Losses on Wall Street rip through Asian financial markets amid fears about interest rates and trade tariffs.

Investors were indifferent to China's positive manufacturing sector outlook.

Toshiba has emerged as one of the strong performers as its shares rose by 3.4%.

Traders are also awaiting the RBA's monetary policy decision which is expected to be announced later in the day.

Investors remain concerned over Donald Trump's first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.

China manufacturing PMI climbed to 51.8 in March, marking the highest levels seen in almost 5 years.

Investors are also concerned over ECB policymakers being wary of changing their policy.

Investors hope the US president goes ahead with his other planned stimulus policies.

Investors are said to doubt Trump's ability to push through major reforms.

The vote on whether Obamacare should remain or be replaced will be held later in the day.

Investors remain concerned over the key health care vote in Congress, which is due later in the day.

Investors are said to be re-evaluating their optimism on Trump's ability to deliver on his promises.

The mixed trend follows RBA highlighting the growing risks in the Australian housing market.

G20 leaders reiterated their warnings against competitive devaluations and disorderly foreign exchange markets.

US indices were subdued following strong gains on Wednesday amid the US Fed's rate increase decision.

The US central bank said there will be no pick-up in the pace of monetary tightening.

Political uncertainties such as Dutch elections and triggering of Article 50 could also affect Asian equities.

The bullish trend follows positive Wall Street close on Friday amid an encouraging US jobs report.

In South Korea, equities rose after its court upheld a 2016 parliament vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye.

China consumer-price index grew just 0.8% y-o-y in February, marking the slowest pace since January 2015.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged North Korea to suspend its missile and nuclear activities.

Reserve Bank of Australia leaving cash rates unchanged had a positive effect on the country's equities.