Asian shares fall as US yields hold near 4-month high, earthquake hits

SYDNEY: Asian shares tracked Wall Street lower on Wednesday as U.S. yields stood near four-month highs, while a powerful earthquake in the region raised concerns about possible disruptions to the vital chip-making industry.

Europe is set for a subdued open, with EUROSTOXX 50 futures little changed and FTSE futures easing 0.3%. Wall Street stock futures were off 0.2% as investors pondered the risk of fewer rate cuts ahead of an appearance from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and U.S. services and jobs figures due later in the day.