Asia: Markets resume downward spiral as geopolitical fears set in

[HONG KONG] Asian markets mostly fell sharply on Tuesday as geopolitical risks pile up, from US tensions with Russia and Saudi Arabia, to trade issues and Italy's budget stand-off with the European Union.

Shanghai and Hong Kong saw deep losses, having soared over the previous two trading days after China's top brass issued coordinated statements of support for the country's markets and officials unveiled tax cut plans.

The gains had provided some much-needed support to Asia but investors reverted to selling on Tuesday, with nerves tested further after Donald Trump's warning that he will pull out of a nuclear treaty with Russia and bolster America's arsenal.

"Global financial markets continue to struggle to rally as various geopolitical concerns weigh on investor confidence," Nick Twidale, chief operating officer at Rakuten Securities Australia, said.

He added that with regards to China, dealers "will be very keen to see if they can maintain the stellar run that they've experienced over the last couple of days," he said.

"With the rest of the world looking much more pessimistic in the current environment there could be a firm correction on the cards."

In early trade Shanghai slipped 0.9 per cent, having jumped more than six per cent since Thursday's close, while Hong Kong fell 1.5 per cent.

Tokyo plunged 2.2 per cent by the break, Sydney fell 0.8 per cent and Seoul dived almost two per cent.

Singapore's Straits Times Index was down 27.95 points or 0.9 per cent to 3,050.11 as of 11am.

Wellington and Taipei each shed more than one per cent while Manila was also in negative territory.

Asia was given a tepid lead from Wall Street, where traders are turning their attention to next month's midterm elections, which could turn control of Congress over to the Democrats.

With the polls in mind, Mr Trump has been on a tour of the country, ramping up his nationalistic rhetoric.

On Monday he said he is ready to add to America's nuclear stockpiles after announcing he will pull the nation out of a decades-old agreement with Moscow.

There is also growing unease about Italy's row with the EU over its purse-busting budget, which Brussels said breaks the bloc's financial rules.

The populist government in Rome has refused to back down and cut its spending promises despite warnings about the country's economic outlook. The standoff comes as officials struggle to hammer out a Brexit agreement with a deadline for Britain to leave the EU in sight.

Pressure is also growing on Saudi Arabia after it admitted that a journalist critical of Riyadh had been killed at its Istanbul consulate.

The flight to safety sent the US dollar rallying against most higher-yielding currencies, with South Korea's won down 0.6 per cent, the Australian dollar off 0.5 per cent and the Mexican peso 0.7 per cent off. However, the yen, a go-to unit in times of uncertainty climbed against the greenback.

"Risk aversion continues to permeate every pocket of the markets," said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA.

AFP