Asian equity markets drifted lower on Tuesday, unable to sustain buying interest despite positive signals from other major tech players.
The sell-off was anchored by SK Hynix, whose second-quarter results fell short of market expectations, dragging down the broader semiconductor sector and the Korean benchmark index.
Investors appeared unwilling to chase rallies, with selling pressure broadening beyond the chip sector into wider regional indices.
The market weakness was compounded by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed oil prices higher and added a layer of uncertainty to global risk appetite.
Brent crude prices rose in the session, reflecting concerns over supply disruptions and shipping risks in key chokepoints.
This energy price pressure is weighing on inflation expectations and complicating the outlook for central banks in the region.