Asian markets dip as investors weigh tech earnings, Gulf tensions

Asian markets saw a decline on Thursday as investors weighed tech earnings and geopolitical tensions. The MSCI's Asia-Pacific index fell 0.2%, marking a fourth straight weekly drop. Japan's Nikkei and South Korean shares also saw lower trading, with the Nikkei down 0.4% and South Korean shares more than 1%. US stock futures, the S&P 500, were down 0.4% at 7,765.8.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq led Wall Street to a higher close, driven by earnings from major tech firms like SpaceX, Meta, and Super Micro. However, Meta's plan to issue non-voting Class C common stock raised concerns about AI spending. Analysts noted investor uncertainty amid earnings season, upcoming Fed decisions, geopolitical risks, and the US midterm elections.

Treasury yields dipped, and Brent crude rose to a five-month high. The US ordered diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia, and the New York Times reported plans for renewed attacks on Iran after the midterm elections. The dollar index dipped, while the euro and yen remained stable. Gold and Bitcoin saw slight declines.