Equity declines extended into Asia, as concern over the potential for higher U.S. interest rates melded with a weak start to the earnings season and Samsung Electronics Co.’s woes to unnerve investors. The dollar gave up some gains after a two-day rally.
Japan’s Topix index fell the most this month, while a third day of losses for Samsung weighed on Korean stocks, after the company ended production of its flagship smartphone amid battery fires. Sterling led gains among major peers, snapping a four-day selloff as the Australian and New Zealand dollars also rebounded, while emerging-market currencies fell. U.S. crude traded below $51 a barrel after retreating from a 15-month high on concern Russia isn’t fully committed to an OPEC deal to curb oil output.
