HONG KONG — Asian markets mostly fell again Tuesday, with Shanghai seeing another round of wild volatility a day after its heaviest one-day loss in more than eight years.
Fears of a resumption of the rout that hit Chinese shares over a month until July 8 sent global traders running Monday, with Wall Street falling for a fifth day in a row and safe-haven gold edging back up after a recent slip.
The dollar recovered in Tokyo trading, although analysts said the latest crisis on Chinese markets could affect the Federal Reserve's decision on when to raise US interest rates.
Shanghai, which collapsed by 8.48% Monday, ended 1.68% lower, dropping 62.56 points to 3,663.00. The benchmark index gyrated sharply through the day between a 5.0% decline and a 1.0% rise.
However, Hong Kong -- which sank more than 3% Monday -- clawed back early losses to end up 0.62%, or 151.98 points, at 24,503.94.
Kuala Lumpur lost 0.59%, or 10.06 points, to 1,699.70 and Jakarta ended down 1.19, or 56.53 points, at 4,714.76.
Tokyo eased 0.10%, or 21.21 points, to 20,328.89 and Sydney edged down 0.09%, or 5.19 points, to end at 5,584.7. Seoul was flat, edging up just 0.27 points to 2,039.08.
Taipei rose 0.30%, or 25.81 points, to 8,582.49 but Manila closed 0.91%, or 68.41 points, lower at 7,479.03.
Chinese investors rushed for the exit Monday as more data showing the economy still struggling combined with fears that government measures to prevent a market crash -- including providing vast sums to support shares -- would not last.
The moves -- introduced after a more than 30% dive that wiped trillions off valuations in just under four weeks -- had been credited with helping to stem the bleeding, stabilise trading and put prices back on an upward trajectory.
Before its slump the market had surged more than 150% in a year to hit a near-term peak on June 12.
Tuesday's losses came despite assurances from Beijing that it would find more cash to provide stability to jittery share markets.
State-backed China Securities Finance Corporation, which has reportedly already pumped billions of yuan into mainland equities under a government plan, will continue to buy stocks, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
"The worst time has passed but we think there is a final leg for this correction," said Steve Yang, strategist at UBS Group AG. "Fundamentally there is no reason for funds to come in and buy aggressively."
But Castor Pang, head of research at Core-Pacific Yamaichi Hong Kong, warned the latest comments might not be enough without concrete action.
"The government's current intervention was not able to stop the market's slide and only delayed the decline."
As of late last week Shanghai shares had climbed about 17% since hitting a trough on July 8.
Analysts said the events could be a key issue at the Fed's policy meeting this week. While it is not expected to raise US interest rates now, dealers are hoping for some guidance on its plans.
"The return of market volatility in China will be a significant discussion point at the US Fed in terms of what this is telling us about the Chinese economy," said Matthew Sherwood, Sydney-based head of investment strategy at Perpetual Ltd. "There is a lot of global weakness and significant external risk."