Japan's Nikkei falls 0.43% as chip stocks weigh, while Topix rises
Energy-linked stocks led gains, with Inpex rising 4.92%, even as oil retreated from a six-month high.
Asian stocks edge lower as oil retreats ahead of earnings and rate decisions
Japan's Nikkei fell 0.8%, while Brent slipped 1.0% to $115.48. Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon are among companies due to report earnings.
Asian equities declined on October 26 as investors awaited central bank meetings and major technology companies' results. South Korean shares dropped 0.4%, while MSCI's broad Asia-Pacific benchmark excluding Japan lost 0.1%.
The Nikkei's 0.8% decline followed a 4.0% loss the previous week. South Korea's market had already shed almost 19% during the month.
Brent fell 1.0% to $115.48 amid media reports that Qatari mediators had visited Tehran on October 25 to help ease regional tensions in coordination with the United States. US crude futures declined 1.1% to $102.08 a barrel. Brent had gained 6.2% the previous week as Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia raised concerns about energy supplies.
US equity futures moved higher, with contracts tracking the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq each gaining 0.2%. EUROSTOXX 50 futures also rose 0.2%, and DAX futures added 0.1%.
Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon are among the earnings announcements ahead, with one-third of S&P 500 companies scheduled to report. Intel and Sandisk are also due to publish results. Central bank meetings are another focus, alongside US inflation and economic growth figures.
The 10-year Treasury yield stood at 5.0%, below its early-month peak of 5.36%. The yen traded at 157.00 per dollar after strengthening around 0.8% the previous week. The euro was steady at $1.1204, while sterling traded at $1.3346.
Gold edged higher to $4,001 an ounce after losing more than 4% the previous week.