Oil prices fell on Tuesday, paring the previous day's nearly 2% rise as the top U.S. diplomat renewed efforts to push for a ceasefire in the Middle East, and as slow demand in China, the world's top oil importer, continued to weigh on the market.
Most Asian stocks fell on Tuesday as uncertainty over interest rates and the U.S. presidential election kept traders largely risk-averse, while Chinese markets drifted higher after an interest rate cut.
Asia shares dipped in and out of positive territory on Monday, under pressure from weakness in Hong Kong stocks, but bitcoin scaled a three-month peak as "Trump trades" continued to ramp up.
Oil prices were broadly steady on Monday, following a more than 7% drop last week on worries about demand in China, the world's top oil importer, and an easing of concerns about potential supply disruptions in the Middle East.
Cryptocurrency bitcoin hit a three-month high in early trading on Monday and the dollar looked set to extend its gains in markets counting down to the U.S. presidential election in two weeks.
Most Asian stocks were muted on Friday amid uncertainty over U.S. interest rates and the upcoming presidential election, while Chinese shares turned positive on data showing the economy grew as expected.