A-shares baijiu sector rose in early trade, bucking the broader market; Gujing Gongjiu jumped more than 8%, with Yingjia Gongjiu, Huangtai, Luzhou Laojiao, Jinzhongzi and Kouzijiao also higher.

The European Central Bank held its deposit rate at 2.5%, in line with market consensus. President Lagarde said she will leave in February next year, a development that has added to market anxiety over rising energy costs and instability in France. The ECB—after two consecutive hikes following Iran-related energy shocks—said it is standing pat on borrowing costs; officials remain wary inflation could reach roughly twice the 2% target but see limited pass-through so far, with core inflation broadly stable and wages not yet showing large moves. The bank also noted that an economy that had shown surprising resilience is now showing signs of slowing.

ECB President Lagarde said she does not currently see risks of second-round effects beyond what is incorporated in the ECB's projections.