KUALA LUMPUR
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) was down 2.71 points, or 0.21 per cent, at 1,284.44 at the opening.

TOKYO
Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.7 per cent on Thursday, led lower by financial shares such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group after US stocks tumbled on concerns about inflation and higher interest rates as oil jumped to a record above US$123 (S$168) a barrel.

As of 8.01am Singapore time, the benchmark Nikkei average was down 94.29 points at 14,008.19, after booking its highest close since Jan 11 on Wednesday.