Asian equity markets turned lower on Tuesday, reversing the modest gains recorded on Monday.
The broad-based decline indicates that investor appetite for risk remains fragile, with traders stepping back from positions despite a positive close in the previous session.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific index, excluding Japan, faced selling pressure as the session progressed.
This repricing follows a day of cautious optimism on Monday, when markets had tracked a positive tone from Wall Street overnight and benefited from falling crude oil prices.
The swift reversal suggests that the earlier risk-on sentiment was tentative and easily undone by renewed caution.
The shift in market direction comes as investors navigate a busy corporate earnings season.