Asian markets dip as MSCI gauge falls ahead of earnings rush

MSCI Inc.'s Asia Pacific equities gauge slipped 0.2% as Asia heads into its busiest earnings week of the season. In the United States, equity-index futures wiped out earlier gains and ended the session trading almost unchanged. The downturn followed Friday's Wall Street declines, where stocks tied to artificial‑intelligence projects faced sharp selling pressure. A leading US chip index also logged its longest consecutive loss streak since November, adding to the bearish tone. The figures were recorded at 01:30 AM IST on 24 Oct 2026. ## Context The earnings rush across Asian companies often heightens market sensitivity, especially when technology stocks are volatile. Pressure on AI‑related shares and chip makers can spill over into broader indices, explaining the cautious start before corporate results arrive.