Regional markets opened down on Thursday as investor focus remained on the conflict in the Middle East.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 179 points, or 0.69 percent, to open at 25,719.

The China Enterprises Index opened 35 points, or 0.4 percent, lower at 8,668 while the tech index was 30 points, or 0.6 percent, lower at 5,024.

On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.01 percent to 4,133 at the start of trading.

The Shenzhen Component Index was close to eight points, or 0.05 percent, lower at 14,457 while the ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was up 0.22 percent at 3,357.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei-225 opened down 637 points, or 1.16 percent, at 54,387. The benchmark's losses edged up to 735 points, or 1.35 percent, just before noon.

In Seoul, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index opened 42 points, or 0.75 percent, down at 5,567 before clawing back some of its losses to hit 5,581 just before midday, dragged down by heavyweight chipmakers. (Xinhua & Reuters)


Edited by Robert Kemp