Nikkei 225 leads Asian markets decline amid risk-off

The stocks on the Asian bourses extended its losing streak into a sixth-day today, with the decline led by steep losses in the Japanese equities, as markets weigh increased BOJ speculation that the central bank may deepen its negative interest rate policy next week.

Moreover, a sharp sell-off in oil prices during the last US session, also acts as a drag on the energy and resource sector stocks, thus, collaborating to the downside in the region’s indices.

Further, weaker Australian jobs report coupled with uncertainty over the Fed interest rates outlook, also dampens the investors’ sentiment. Australia employment change s.a. came in at -3.9k in August, below forecasts of +15k and prior of 26.1k,  while part-time employment -15.4k from previous 71.6k.

Meanwhile, the Japanese benchmark index, the Nikkei 225 slumps -1.36% to 16,389. The Australian S&P/ASX 200 drops -0.31% to 5,211 levels.

The Chinese equities also extend losses; with the benchmark Shanghai Composite index declining -0.68%, the CSI300 index loses -0.66%. While Hong Kong trades slightly higher around 23,250 points.