<p>Asian markets looked set for another weaker open on Wednesday as worries about a surge in coronavirus cases and dwindling hopes for a US stimulus package kept investors gloomy.</p>.<p>Australia's ASX 200 opened down about 0.43%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 futures were down 0.36%. The Nikkei 225 index closed down 0.04% on Tuesday. The futures contract was down 0.62% from that close.</p>.<p>Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were up 0.4%.</p>.<p>MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe was down 0.27%.</p>.<p>"Markets had a risk-off tone as US consumer confidence data disappointed, Covid-19 cases continue to rise, and the chances of a fiscal deal before the US election faded," ANZ analysts said in a note.</p>.<p>Investors appeared content to steer clear of risk with looming uncertainty, headlined by the Nov. 3 US presidential election. Former Vice President Joe Biden has enjoyed a consistent leader over President Donald Trump, but the race is closer in battleground states that could determine the outcome.</p>.<p>US markets slipped as Trump acknowledged an economic relief package would likely come after the Nov. 3 election.</p>.<p>In addition, new data showed US consumer confidence dipping in October, although orders of key capital goods hit a six-year high.</p>.<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 222.19 points, or 0.8% and the S&P 500 lost 10.29 points, or 0.30%. The Nasdaq Composite added 72.41 points, or 0.64%.</p>.<p>Microsoft kicked off a slate of reporting from tech heavyweights by beating Wall Street estimates for quarterly revenue, buoyed by its flagship cloud computing business amid increased work-from-home arrangements. Apple Inc, Amazon.com, and Google-parent Alphabet are among major tech players reporting later this week.</p>.<p>The US dollar fell against higher risk currencies on uncertainty about the economy and the presidential election. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of major currencies, weakened 0.1% to 92.93.</p>.<p>Brent crude closed up 75 cents, or 1.9%, as companies shut down some production in the US Gulf of Mexico ahead of an approaching storm. US oil gained $1.01 cents, or 2.6%.</p>.<p>Safe-haven US Treasury yields fell on Tuesday and the yield curve flattened as markets kept looking for a stimulus deal. The benchmark 10-year yield was down 2.7 basis points in afternoon trading at 0.776%. Gold prices also climbed.</p>
<p>Asian markets looked set for another weaker open on Wednesday as worries about a surge in coronavirus cases and dwindling hopes for a US stimulus package kept investors gloomy.</p>.<p>Australia's ASX 200 opened down about 0.43%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 futures were down 0.36%. The Nikkei 225 index closed down 0.04% on Tuesday. The futures contract was down 0.62% from that close.</p>.<p>Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were up 0.4%.</p>.<p>MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe was down 0.27%.</p>.<p>"Markets had a risk-off tone as US consumer confidence data disappointed, Covid-19 cases continue to rise, and the chances of a fiscal deal before the US election faded," ANZ analysts said in a note.</p>.<p>Investors appeared content to steer clear of risk with looming uncertainty, headlined by the Nov. 3 US presidential election. Former Vice President Joe Biden has enjoyed a consistent leader over President Donald Trump, but the race is closer in battleground states that could determine the outcome.</p>.<p>US markets slipped as Trump acknowledged an economic relief package would likely come after the Nov. 3 election.</p>.<p>In addition, new data showed US consumer confidence dipping in October, although orders of key capital goods hit a six-year high.</p>.<p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 222.19 points, or 0.8% and the S&P 500 lost 10.29 points, or 0.30%. The Nasdaq Composite added 72.41 points, or 0.64%.</p>.<p>Microsoft kicked off a slate of reporting from tech heavyweights by beating Wall Street estimates for quarterly revenue, buoyed by its flagship cloud computing business amid increased work-from-home arrangements. Apple Inc, Amazon.com, and Google-parent Alphabet are among major tech players reporting later this week.</p>.<p>The US dollar fell against higher risk currencies on uncertainty about the economy and the presidential election. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of major currencies, weakened 0.1% to 92.93.</p>.<p>Brent crude closed up 75 cents, or 1.9%, as companies shut down some production in the US Gulf of Mexico ahead of an approaching storm. US oil gained $1.01 cents, or 2.6%.</p>.<p>Safe-haven US Treasury yields fell on Tuesday and the yield curve flattened as markets kept looking for a stimulus deal. The benchmark 10-year yield was down 2.7 basis points in afternoon trading at 0.776%. Gold prices also climbed.</p>