In Asian Equity Markets the Nikkei 225 declined 0.45 percent amid broad-based weakness. Airline names continued their descent, with the Topix air transport sub-index down 1.82 percent, while automakers proved to be a bright spot, with Toyota up 0.85 percent. Over in Seoul, the Kospi shed 0.59 percent in morning trade. Technology stocks struggled, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix down 2.4 percent and 2.23 percent, respectively, despite the former settling a dispute with Apple over patents.

In Currency Markets the US dollar was steady against its rivals on Thursday, though it failed to build on overnight gains amid conflicting signals from Washington on a proposal to restrict Chinese investment as the bitter U.S.-China trade row kept financial markets on edge. The dollar was 0.15 percent lower at 110.08 yen. The Australian dollar was on the defensive amid the lingering U.S.-China trade tensions. The Aussie was little changed at $0.7341 after retreating 0.7 percent the previous day, when it plumbed a 1-1/2-year trough of $0.7323.

In Commodities Markets U.S. oil prices fell away from three-and-a-half year highs on Thursday amid high output from Russia, the United States and Saudi Arabia, although unplanned supply disruptions elsewhere and record demand stemmed a bigger decline. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $72.54 a barrel, down 22 cents, or 0.3 percent from their last settlement. WTI hit its highest since November 2014 at $73.06 per barrel in the previous session. Brent crude futures were at $77.54 per barrel, down 8 cents from their last close.

In US Equity Markets stocks fell on Wednesday on renewed uncertainty regarding the U.S. stance on Chinese investments in American technology companies, reversing gains earlier in the session. The S&P 500 lost 0.86 percent, to 2,699.63 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.54 percent, to 7,445.09. The S&P 500 technology sector fell 1.5 percent, weighing the most on the broader S&P 500 index. Chip-makers, which derive much of their revenue from China, fell even more. The Philadelphia semiconductor index fell 2.5 percent.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields fell to four-week lows on Wednesday on concerns that trade wars will harm economic growth, even after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that he would not impose restrictions on Chinese investments in U.S. technology firms. Benchmark 10-year bond yield ended at 2.833 percent, the lowest since May 31 and down from 2.880 percent on Tuesday. The bid for bonds helped the Treasury Department sell $36 billion in five-year notes to strong demand, the second sale of $100 billion in short- and intermediate-dated debt this week.