In Asian Equity Markets stocks edged lower on Thursday as investor confidence seen earlier in the week wavered overnight amid geopolitical tensions. The Nikkei 225 eased 0.15 percent in the morning. The broader Topix was lower by 0.32 percent as its mining subindex gained 1.27 percent while the automakers and oil sectors slid. Down Under, the S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.28 percent as gains in the materials and energy sub-indexes were offset by declines in most other sectors. The heavily weighted financials sector slipped 0.46 percent. Markets on the mainland also traded below flat line. The Shanghai composite slipped 0.6 percent and the Shenzhen composite was off by 0.25 percent.

In Currency Markets the US dollar struggled against the yen on Thursday as investors sought shelter in the safe-haven Japanese currency on concerns over the possibility of Western military action against Syria. The geopolitical tensions shifted some focus away from the U.S.-China trade standoff, with the dollar last trading little changed at 106.810 yen after losing 0.4 percent overnight. The yen often draws demand in times of market turmoil and political tensions. With attention on Syria the dollar did not receive much support from hawkish-sounding Federal Reserve meeting minutes. The Australian dollar was steady at $0.7760 after touching $0.7773, the highest since Mar. 22.

In Commodities Markets oil markets remained tense on Thursday on concerns over a military escalation in Syria, although prices remained some way off Wednesday’s highest since late 2014 as bulging American supplies weighed. Brent crude futures were at $72.25 per barrel, up 19 cents, or 0.3 percent from their last close. U.S. WTI crude futures were at $67.010 a barrel, up 28 cents, or 0.4 percent from their last settlement. Both Brent and WTI hit their highest since late 2014 of $73.09 and $67.45 per barrel on Wednesday, respectively, after Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles over Riyadh and U.S. President Donald Trump warned Russia of imminent military action in Syria.

In US Equity Markets stocks fell on Wednesday as possible U.S. military action against Syria stoked investor concerns about geopolitical risk to the American economy and minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee sparked worries about a more hawkish view on interest-rate increases. The S&P 500 lost 0.55 percent, to 2,642.19 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.36 percent, to 7,069.03. The decline followed two days of gains, driven by easing concerns about trade tensions between the United States and China. Industrial distributor Fastenal fell 6.2 percent after its earnings missed expectations. The stock was the biggest decliner on the S&P, followed by industry peer WW Grainger’s 4.4 percent decline.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields declined on Wednesday on escalating geopolitical tensions after President Donald Trump warned Russia of imminent military action in Syria over a suspected poison gas attack. The U.S. 10-year yields were down at 2.7826 percent, from 2.797 percent late on Tuesday. U.S. 30-year yields sank to 2.995 percent, from Tuesday’s 3.017 percent. On the front end of the curve, U.S. 2-year yields fell to 2.311 percent, compared with 2.315 percent on Tuesday. Yields also rose after a lackluster U.S. 10-year note auction that drew its lowest demand in nearly 1-1/2 years from so-called “indirect bidders”, which include fund managers and foreign central banks.