World Bulletin / News Desk

Asian markets turned negative Thursday following two days of gains, but energy firms were lifted by an oil rally while the pound held up after Britain formally triggered talks to leave the European Union.

Regional traders had regained some confidence since Monday, fuelled by optimism about the US economy -- as data points to a healthy outlook -- and the hopes the new president will eventually be able to deliver promised tax-cut and spending measures.

Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader, said: "It looks like the Trumponomics rally is as much about the actual improvement in the data as it is about expectations of the future in a Trumponomics world."

But Asia was unable to press on with the recent gains Thursday. Tokyo ended 0.8 percent down, while Hong Kong slipped 0.4 percent and Shanghai lost one percent. Seoul dipped 0.1 percent while Singapore, Jakarta and Taipei also retreated. Sydney was 0.4 percent higher.