Stock markets in Asia turn downward as oil prices rise

The volatile mood in stock markets continues. After a trading week that mostly saw gains, Asian indices are broadly down on Thursday.

The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo fell 2.2 percent by lunchtime, while the broader Topix was down 2.1 percent. The Kospi in Seoul was down 1.3 percent.

Indices in China are also down. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange was down 1.4 percent, Shanghai was down 0.6 percent. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong was down 1.3 percent.

WTI and Brent crude oil were trading around $95 and $100 per barrel, respectively, overnight Thursday, local time in Sweden.