Stocks opened lower on Thursday after a disappointing forecast by chip giant Broadcom stoked concerns about the AI trade, while stronger-than-expected US data compounded speculation the Federal Reserve could hike interest rates.

Fresh Iranian attacks and a lack of progress in peace talks with the United States added to the downbeat mood, though oil prices dived on news of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

Regional equity markets tracked a retreat on Wall Street, where tech firms — the drivers of a global surge to record highs in recent years — took a hit after Broadcom's estimated chip revenue for the third quarter came in below expectations.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index fell 167 points, or 0.66 percent, to open lower at 25,465.

Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, and Wellington were also well down.

Jakarta tumbled more than one percent and is sitting at its lowest level since 2021 as the Indonesian rupiah plunged to a record low on worries about the country's economy.

Traders were also spooked by figures showing US companies last month added the most jobs since the start of last year, despite rising energy prices.

That came days before a closely watched non-farm payrolls report Friday.

Speculation is rising that a strong reading — which would compound the war-fuelled spike in inflation — could put more pressure on the Fed to hike rates. (AFP)



Edited by Tony Sabine