Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell nearly 2% on Thursday, dragged lower by sharp losses in heavyweight technology stocks after weakness in U.S. chipmakers spilt over into Asian markets. According to Reuters, the decline in tech shares outweighed gains across a majority of stocks, which were supported by lower crude oil prices amid hopes of a Middle East peace deal.
The Nikkei dropped as much as 2% during the session and was trading 1.8% lower at 85,108.28 by 0133 GMT. Despite the headline decline, market breadth remained positive, with 152 of the index's 225 constituents advancing, while 71 stocks declined and two remained unchanged.
