Japan's Nikkei hits 2-year low as US rate-hike bets, Ukraine tensions weigh

Japan's Nikkei index touched a two-year low on Tuesday, weighed down by investor caution over the situation in Ukraine, broadening inflationary risks and on concerns of a faster-than-expected U.S. rate hike by the Federal Reserve.
 

The Nikkei share average fell 2.5% to 26,890.94, its lowest level since Dec. 29, 2020.
 

At 0516 GMT, the Nikkei index was down 2.1% at 27,001.91.
 

The broader Topix lost 2.18% to 1,887l.70.
 

The Mothers Index of start-up shares fell more than 5% to its lowest since April 2020.
 

Technology stocks dragged the Nikkei lower, with start-up investor SoftBank Group losing 5.75%, chip-making equipment maker