Asian markets settle mostly lower on Thursday

Asian markets settled mostly lower on Thursday as renewed concerns over the profitability of debt-backed AI infrastructure investment, combined with surging Brent crude oil prices above $112 per barrel following drone attacks in Saudi Arabia exacerbated investor caution. Meanwhile, investors awaited cues from central bank meetings in Japan, Canada, the United States and Europe, due next week. Hong Kong and Chinese markets fell sharply due to fading expectations for aggressive new economic stimulus from Beijing.