Asian equities fell on Thursday on growing tensions between the western nationals and Russia over Ukraine. While equities continued to slide, energy prices soared and investors flocked to sovereign bonds.
President Vladimir Putin recognized two self-proclaimed separatist republics in eastern Ukraine and ordered the Defense Ministry to send what he called “peacekeeping forces” to the breakaway regions.
The CSI 300, HSI, KOSPI and TOPIX down by 1.30%, 2.96%, 1.35% and 1.55% respectively. The MSCI Broad Market Index ex Japan dropped by 0.39%.
European Stoxx 600 fell as much as 2%. U.S. futures Dow Jones and S&P 500 fell by 0.53% and 0.49% respectively.
Treasuries climbed with U.S. 10-year yield climbing to 1.90%. The dollar was steady and gold slipped.
Crude oil inched up by 4.42% to $95.49 per barrel while Brent inched up by 3.09% to $98.46 per barrel.
