RECAP: Asian share markets retreated yesterday as investors took profits on technology stocks and turned defensive ahead of the weekend, wary of a flare-up in Middle East hostilities with US-Iran peace talks in limbo.

Asian markets and US futures declined. Broadcom's weak forecast impacted investor sentiment. Renewed US-Iran clashes also weighed on markets. However, a ceasefire between Israel…

"Financial markets shifted back into a risk-off mode as the US and Iran exchanged fire again," analysts from Westpac wrote in a research report.