Sydney — Asian shares fell for a sixth straight session on Thursday, while oil skidded and safe-haven gold gained. Investor confidence has been shaken by turmoil in emerging markets and jitters over a potentially severe escalation in the US-China trade war. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.4% to hit its lowest since mid-August. Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.2% while Australian and New Zealand indices fell more than 1% each. China’s blue-chip index dipped 0.2% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index slipped 0.5%. Investors were focused on the China-US trade war, with a public consultation period on the Trump administration’s intent to impose tariffs on an additional $200bn of Chinese goods ending on Thursday. "An escalation of the US-China trade war may be imminent; the timing is somewhat unclear and this justifies caution even given the (dollar) pullback," JPMorgan analysts said. "Conviction and participation will likely remain light until an announcement." Tru...
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