05:49 AM EST, 11/02/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets churned on Monday, as traders awaited the pending US elections, weighed easing crude bills, and digested earnings reports.

Hong Kong and Shanghai finished in the green, while Tokyo fell back. Other regional exchanges were also mixed.

Brent crude oil futures declined 4.2% to $108.67 a barrel during Asian market hours, on media reports of Middle East negotiations.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened lower, waffled and finished off 0.3% as traders backed away from rich tech-sector valuations.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 208.25 to 63,081.86 as losing issues outnumbered gainers 134 to 89.

Leading the upside was ceramic-insulators manufacturer NGK, up 11%, while diversified tech-outfit Screen Holdings declined 19%, with both moves following earnings reports.

Memory chipmaker Kioxia fell 15.8% after reporting quarterly results, and issuing guidance that underwhelmed some investors.

In economic news, Japan's final manufacturing purchasing managers index logged at 53.3 in October, slipping from 54.1 in September, but still striking above the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction, reported S&P Global.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened higher and held ground, closing up 0.4% after media reports that Beijing is pondering fresh policy measures to support equity values.

The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 98.90 to 23,393.32, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 57 to 37. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 2.3% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index was stable.

Leading the upside was phone-maker Xiaomi, gaining 6.1%, while Bank of China HK declined 5.7%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 1.1% to 3,638.03.

In economic news, China's final manufacturing PMI inched down to 52.0 in October from 52.1 in September, reported S&P Global.

On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI rose 2.2%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 0.7%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 0.6%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 1.4%, and the Thai Set declined 0.8%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 1.7%.

The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index fell 0.2% on the day.

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