{
  "id": 15996837,
  "title": "Asian markets dip as investors weigh tech earnings, Gulf tensions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/asian-markets-dip-as-investors-weigh-tech-earnings-gulf-tensions-15996837",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-22T02:29:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/10/22/asian-markets-dip-as-investors-weigh-tech-earnings-gulf-tensions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Asian markets experienced a dip on Thursday as investors weighed the results of tech earnings and tensions in the Gulf. The Nikkei stock index in Japan fell by 0.4%, while Korean shares dropped more than 1%. The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index, which excludes Japan, declined by 0.2%, marking the fourth consecutive weekly loss. US stock futures, the S&P 500 e-minis, also slipped by 0.4% at 7,765.8.\n\nDespite tech-heavy Nasdaq leading Wall Street to a higher close, driven by robust earnings from major players, investors remained cautious. Meta, for instance, issued non-voting Class C common stock, reigniting concerns about its AI spending. The company reported third-quarter revenue that exceeded expectations, but investors questioned the sustainability of AI build-outs.\n\nMeta's strategy to raise additional capital through the issuance of non-voting shares sparked debate on AI expenditures. Analyst Kyle Rodda from Capital.com noted that investors were still grappling with the implications of morning's results and anticipating upcoming challenges such as the Federal Reserve's decision, geopolitical uncertainties, and the outcome of the US mid-term elections scheduled for November 3.\n\nIn a reflection of the prevailing risk-averse sentiment, the yield on 10-year Treasury notes decreased by 4.2 basis points to 5.1065%, while the yield on 30-year notes hit a one-week low of 5.3968%. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil prices climbed by 1.1% to reach US$110.03 per barrel, nearing a five-month high.\n\nFinancial markets were also impacted by geopolitical developments. The United States ordered its diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia following Houthi missile strikes against Saudi oil facilities. Reports indicated that the US and Israeli militaries were preparing potential attacks on Iran post the US midterm elections, set to occur on November 3. Gold prices saw a slight decline to US$4,115.5 per ounce, while Bitcoin and Ether experienced minor drops of 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively, to US$84,284.05 and US$2,476.34.",
  "summary": "MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.2%, on track for a fourth straight week of decline.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}