The yen was at its highest so far this year versus the US dollar, while speculation on mortgage-rate cuts in China helped Hong Kong

Despite a hotter-than-hoped US inflation report, Japan shares leapt more than 3% while Hong Kong enjoyed a tech boost

US inflation, currency and rate moves, and the fallout from the first US presidential race TV debate all weighed on investor sentiment on Wednesday

Investors were in cautious mood ahead of Wednesday’s latest US inflation figures while China’s woes also distracted traders

The outlook for the US and Chinese economies saw investors ditch equities, sending bourses across the region intro retreat

All eyes were on US jobs figures due out later in the day as Tokyo extended its losing streak to four days while China stocks hit seven-month lows

Looming jobs figures from the US saw another subdued day of trading with currency moves and China stimulus the main focus

Downbeat US manufacturing data and a turnaround in enthusiasm for AI darling Nvidia saw tech stocks dumped across the region

Investors remained cautious for a second successive day while China’s property woes saw its banks take a profits hit

A key US jobs report due on Friday saw many investors stay on the sidelines and regional markets react to domestic cues

Investors will be listening keenly to Jerome Powell when he speaks at a central bank event in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Weak consumer demand in China though cast a shadow, putting the brakes on any surges in equities across the region