Asian stocks mostly fell today on fears that trouble in the US subprime mortgage market could slow growth, and as stronger-than-expected inflation data dimmed hopes for an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
Investors stung by recent market turmoil were nervous ahead of key reports on US consumer prices, industrial output and consumer sentiment later in the day.
Data yesterday showed weakness in US manufacturing, raising concerns that growth may be stalling even as prices continue to rise.
Britain's FTSE 100 index was seen opening 20-24 points lower today, according to financial bookmakers, having closed up 132.5 points, or 2.2 per cent at 6,133.2 in the previous session.
"The market focus remains on risk reduction, stocks and whether the US economy will slow down, not on interest rate differentials," said Takehiko Jimbo, forex manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking in Japan. "There are still people out there who are mulling what is the best way to further cut back on risk."
Gold firmed, while crude oil extended losses after retreating 1 per cent yesterday. Tokyo's Nikkei ended down 0.7 per cent, shrugging off modest US gains, as US mortgage woes and concern over lending margins spurred selling of bank shares.
Top Japanese lenders Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, Mitsui Trust Holdings and Mizuho Financial Group fell by 2.3 per cent to 4 per cent. Concern about US demand and a stronger yen also weighed on exporters such as Honda Motor, which fell 1.5 per cent.
Bank shares were also under pressure in Australia, where the main index lost 0.3 percent. Top lender National Australia Bank fell 0.5 per cent as wary investors took profits following sharp gains in the previous session.
The MSCI's broadest index of shares in Asia excluding Japan reversed early losses and was up 0.2 per cent by 0630 GMT. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.2 per cent, recouping early declines.
US stocks finished higher after healthy earnings from Bear Stearns eased some of the worry that subprime mortgage woes could infect major mainstream lenders.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 0.22 per cent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 0.29 percent.
But investors remained on edge, with US markets briefly turning negative after former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan warned that problems in the subprime market could spread to other sectors.
Mr Greenspan said it was "hard to find any such evidence" of spillover from the subprime mortgage market yet, but added: "You can't take 10 per cent out of mortgage originations without some impact."