Asian equity markets opened lower on Thursday, with declines in the technology sector leading the downturn.
The MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan index fell 0.8%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.1%, according to market data.
The losses were primarily driven by weakness in chip manufacturers, which have been under sustained pressure amid concerns over the broader tech cycle.
The semiconductor sell-off weighed heavily on regional sentiment, overshadowing other market developments.
Despite reports of explosions in the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices remained stable, suggesting that geopolitical risks in the energy sector are not currently driving the broader equity decline.
Instead, investors appear focused on the correction in high-growth tech names, which have seen significant pullbacks in recent weeks.