SPI Asset Management

China said on Tuesday it was "fully confident" of hitting its growth target this year but held off more stimulus, disappointing markets and fueling concern about a lack of detail on a raft of measures unveiled last month.

Tokyo led a collapse across Asian and European equities on Monday, after weak U.S. jobs data fanned fears of a recession in the world's top economy and boosted bets on several Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index plunged 12.4 percent, or 4,451.28 points, to 31,458.42, its largest points drop in history.

Oil prices rallied and equities sank on April 19 as reports said explosions had been heard in Iran and Syria, fuelling fears of an escalation of the Middle East crisis after last weekend's missile attack on Israel by Tehran.

Traders have been on edge since last week's barrage by Iran, which Israel's army chief General Herzi Halevi warned would be met with a response.

Asian shares mostly gained on Wednesday after global markets fell as traders locked in profits following recent tech-driven rallies.

Gold prices and bitcoin hit all-time highs Tuesday before reversing gains, while the sell-off in some technology stocks hit many markets around the world.