Market Report – Asia Dips

Asian shares eased Thursday, as investor confidence in global recovery waned slightly at the start of the corporate reporting season.

Continued jitters about whether Greece can meet its debt obligations pressured the euro, as European and IMF leaders met with the nation.

The IMF had nudged up its forecast on world growth to 4.3 percent. Separately, Japanese exports held firm in March, a sign of better demand in Asia and the U.S.

But share-buying sentiment in regional markets was restrained, as a slew of global earnings began.

Seoul stocks eased from 22-month highs, despite strong results from chipmaker Hynix Semiconductor and Hyundai Motor.

Japan’s Nikkei eased as top automaker Toyota declined, after ratings agency Moody’s downgraded its rating with a negative outlook. The beleaguered firm’s reputation for quality has been dented by a swathe of recalls, now estimated to cost at least $2 billion.

Foto: NTDTV