Asian markets lower on debt ceiling uncertainty

Japan -0.42%. dropped sharply from a 33-year peakvas some investors swooped in to take profit following a breathless eight-day rally. Japan preliminary PMI for May: Manufacturing 50.8 (prior 49.5), Services 56.3 (prior 55.4).

China -1.07%.

Hong Kong -0.83%.

Australia -0.05%.

Brent crude futures rose 28 cents, or 0.37%, to $76.27 a barrel by 0320 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $72.36 a barrel, up 31 cents, or 0.43%.

Gold prices fell on Tuesday, weighed down by a stronger dollar and hawkish remarks by some Federal Reserve members, while investors kept their eyed peeled on the U.S. debt ceiling saga.

Spot gold shed 0.4% to $1,962.06 per ounce by 0306 GMT. U.S. gold futures were down 0.6% at $1,965.70. The dollar index was firm, making gold less attractive for overseas buyers.

Spot silver fell 0.5% to $23.55 per ounce, palladium lost 0.4% to $1,485.59, and platinum was flat at $1,066.59.

US futures lower. Dow Jones +0.06%; S&P 500 +0.09%; Nasdaq +0.16%.