Asian markets start week on a low note
Asia markets were cautiously lower in early trade after US President Donald Trump suffered a legislative defeat last Friday when Republican leaders pulled a bill to overhaul the US healthcare system, cnbc.com reported.
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The Japanese benchmark Nikkei 225 was off 1.1 per cent in early morning trade.
Shares of Toshiba tumbled 2.91 per cent after local media reports that Toshiba's US subsidiary Westinghouse may file for bankruptcy on Tuesday and seek support from Korea Electric Power.
Australia's ASX 200 fell 0.49 per cent in early trade, weighed by its materials sub-index which fell 1.2 per cent.
Australian miner South32 said on Monday morning that it would buy back $500 million of its shares. Shares of the South32 sold off 1.47 per cent.
BHP Billiton dropped 2.39 per cent, after the Escondida copper mine strike in Chile left the Australian miner with a loss of about $1 billion and in a weaker negotiation position, Reuters reported.
In South Korea, the Kospi slipped 0.28 per cent.
During Monday morning in Asia, Dow futures fell 97 points, S&P 500 futures were down 14.3 and Nasdaq futures were 33.75 points lower.
US stocks had a choppy trading session last Friday, after media reports that the House pulled a key healthcare vote that was seen as crucial for President Donald Trump's agenda.
The Dow Jones industrial average was down 0.29 per cent to 20,596.72, the S&P 500 slipped 0.08 percent to close at 2,343.98 and the Nasdaq composite added 0.19 per cent to 5,828.74.