Stock indexes in the Asia-Pacific region started the week with broad declines of at least 1%, following the latest skid in U.S. equities. Leading the losers were Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average and Australia’s ASX 200, respectively closing down 2.1% and 2.3%. Both markets were hit by weakness in financial stocks, after benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields hit three-month lows Friday. A smaller gap between short- and long-term yields typically pressures lending margins.

Source: Wall Street Journal December 10, 2018 05:06 UTC