Asian shares tumbled to fresh 2013 lows on Thursday as growing uncertainty on whether the U.S. Federal Reserve would roll back its stimulus this year kept markets on edge, while turbulence in Japanese equities led to choppy dollar-yen trade.

TOKYO – Asian shares paused from two strong days of gains on Thursday, with investors watching meetings of the central banks of Japan, Britain and the euro zone for signs of policy easing. The MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares …

TOKYO – Asian shares extended gains on Wednesday as investors grew more risk-friendly following Wall Street’s record close, signs of continuing U.S. economic recovery, and globally accommodative monetary conditions. The MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.5 …

Australia’s dollar fell to an almost five-month low after a report showed building approvals

TOKYO – Asian shares extended gains for a second day on Thursday as sentiment improved after U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke reaffirmed his commitment to strong stimulus, while Italy found investor confidence in its debt despite political turmoil. Uncertainty …