Asian markets lack direction as disappointing US tech earnings impact stocks; yen strengthens

Asian stocks were subdued on Wednesday after lacklustre earnings from US tech behemoths Tesla and Alphabet dented sentiment, while the yen hit a six-week high ahead of a central bank meeting next week where a rate hike remains on the table. The US dollar was broadly firm, with traders watching out for an inflation reading on Friday and Federal Reserve meeting next week. The Bank of Japan is also due to meet next week, where a 10 basis point hike is priced at a 44% chance. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS), was 0.08% lower at 566.26, not far from the one-month low of 562.43 it touched on Monday. Japan's Nikkei (.N225), fell 0.23% while Taiwan financial markets are closed due to a typhoon. Nasdaq futures fell 0.5%, while S&P 500 futures eased 0.36% after Tesla (TSLA.O), reported its smallest profit margin in more than five years. Shares of Google-parent Alphabet (GOOGL.O), slipped in after-hours trade even after the firm beat revenue and profit targets.