Asian Equities Open Mixed after Weak U.S. Lead

Asian indices opened mixed on Monday after an uninspiring handover from Wall Street, as Ukraine-Russia tensions reignited and a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen failed to give investors any clues on when the Fed will hike rates.

U.S. equities ended mostly lower on Friday, as investors weighed speeches by European Central Bank President (ECB) Mario Draghi and Fed Chair Janet Yellen.

Both central bankers gave the market what was expected: Yellen reiterated that slack remains in the U.S. labor market even as the American economy continues a five-year recovery and Draghi expressed confidence that stimulus already announced and a weaker euro would help the euro-zone economy, but noted the ECB is ready to do more if needed.

CNBC