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Asia stock markets drop sharply after US falls Asia stock markets drop sharply after US falls
(about 3 hours later)
Major Asian markets suffered sharp losses on Friday, following another day of steep falls on Wall Street.Major Asian markets suffered sharp losses on Friday, following another day of steep falls on Wall Street.
In a volatile week for global investors, Japan's Nikkei 225 index slid 3.2% during early trading, while China's Shanghai Composite tumbled 5%. In a volatile week for global investors, Japan's Nikkei 225 index slid 2.8%, while China's Shanghai Composite slumped by 4.1%.
Earlier, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by more than 1,000 points for the second time this week.Earlier, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by more than 1,000 points for the second time this week.
Sell-offs around the world have been pinned partly on concerns over higher interest rates.Sell-offs around the world have been pinned partly on concerns over higher interest rates.
Elsewhere in Asia on Friday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng pulled back 3.8%, while South Korea's Kospi index traded down 1.9% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.2%. Elsewhere in Asia on Friday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng pulled back 3.7%, while South Korea's Kospi index traded down 1.6% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 eased 0.8%.
Those losses came as little surprise, with moves in major US markets providing the cue for global investors.Those losses came as little surprise, with moves in major US markets providing the cue for global investors.
On Thursday, Dow Jones ended 4.2% lower at 23,860, the S&P 500 closed down 3.8%, while the Nasdaq sank 3.9%. European exchanges also headed south on Thursday. On Thursday, the Dow Jones ended 4.2% lower at 23,860, the S&P 500 closed down 3.8%, while the Nasdaq sank 3.9%. European exchanges also headed south on Thursday.
"The return of volatility after two relatively calm days supports the idea there are further losses to come in the days and weeks ahead," said CMC Markets analyst Michael McCarthy. What about China?
Rate rises imminent? China was the worst performer in Asia on Friday - on track for its worst day in nearly two years - as losses deepened from declines seen earlier this week.
Investors have begun to worry that inflation might rise more quickly than expected, leading policymakers to raise rates, prompting a pull-back from stocks. Chinese stock markets tend to be volatile and are dominated by retail investors, rather than big institutions like many other major markets.
But falls in China can spark nervousness around the world over sentiment in the world's second largest economy.
As well as the broader sell-off, analysts said stocks in China were weighed down by people selling ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.
This is a common trend as the need for cash grows during this period - a time when Chinese companies typically pay bonuses and people also traditionally exchange cash and gifts during the period.
Why are markets falling?
This global sell-off began last week after a solid US jobs report fuelled expectations that the Federal Reserve would need to raise interest rates faster than expected because of the strength of the economy.
That concern has prompted the pull-back from stocks.
On Thursday, the Bank of England seemed to offer support for that view.On Thursday, the Bank of England seemed to offer support for that view.
The bank left interest rates at 0.5% at its meeting, but said a strengthening economy meant interest rates were likely to rise sooner than the markets were expecting.The bank left interest rates at 0.5% at its meeting, but said a strengthening economy meant interest rates were likely to rise sooner than the markets were expecting.
Also worrying investors was a government budget proposal announced by US lawmakers, which raises spending caps and could fan inflation.Also worrying investors was a government budget proposal announced by US lawmakers, which raises spending caps and could fan inflation.
Bond yields in the US have also risen in recent weeks, typically a signal of higher rates.Bond yields in the US have also risen in recent weeks, typically a signal of higher rates.
Higher interest rates push up borrowing costs for companies and individuals, which can hurt corporate profits and curb economic activity.Higher interest rates push up borrowing costs for companies and individuals, which can hurt corporate profits and curb economic activity.
At the same time, higher interest rates can make investment alternatives to stocks, such as bonds, more attractive.At the same time, higher interest rates can make investment alternatives to stocks, such as bonds, more attractive.
Shifting conditions Will markets fall further?
The uptick in volatility comes as investors react to the shifting conditions. The uptick in volatility comes as investors react to the shifting conditions. And more turbulence could be on the way.
"The return of volatility after two relatively calm days supports the idea there are further losses to come in the days and weeks ahead," said CMC Markets analyst Michael McCarthy.
The chaotic week on global markets also comes as several markets around the world sit on, or near record highs.
Analysts have said for months that financial markets were due a correction, after a long period of rising prices.
Thursday's declines mean the Dow and S&P 500 have now fallen by more than 10% from the record highs set in January, a threshold analysts call a correction.Thursday's declines mean the Dow and S&P 500 have now fallen by more than 10% from the record highs set in January, a threshold analysts call a correction.
Shares in financial, technology and consumer companies led the declines on Thursday, which infected every sector. American Express and Intel were the two biggest losers on the Dow. Fidelity International's chief investment officer for Japan, Takashi Maruyama, said the "massive volatility" was a reaction to the rapid rise on the Japanese market since last year.
Analysts, who have said for months that the financial markets were due a correction after a long period of rising prices, urged calm. He added the sell-off presented a opportunity to buy shares at more "reasonable" prices.
"The latest decline takes us back to where we were 17 November," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com, which tracks interest rates.
"We've just given back some recent gains, not wiped out anyone's life savings."