Thursday close

Japan's Nikkei stock average was dragged lower as rising oil prices knocked down shares in airlines, steel firms and oil refiners.

The Nikkei average closed the session down 1.83%, or 192.25 points, at 10,310.04 points, off its intraday lows.

Opec's surprise decision on Wednesday to cut output by 3.5% from November, and hints of more cuts to come pushed down shares on Wall Street overnight.

The price of Brent crude rose by $1.13 a barrel on Wednesday to $26.65.

Japan Airlines shares fell as investors worried about increases in the price of jet fuel.

Other fallers included automakers Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

Technology stocks in consumer electronics makers Fujitsu, Matsushita Electric and NEC also ended lower.