Asia markets in wait-and-see mode ahead of final US presidential debate

Futures pointed to a flat open for Asian markets, despite U.S. gains on the back of higher oil prices and positive corporate earnings, as traders may take to the sidelines ahead of the final U.S. Presidential debate.

Nikkei futures in Chicago traded at 17,005, while Osaka futures were at 16,980. The Japanese benchmark index finished the Wednesday session at 16,998.91.

Australia's ASX 200 climbed 0.30 percent in early trade, with the energy sector advancing 1.52 percent buoyed by the overnight surge in oil prices. The heavily-weighted financial sector was up 0.20 percent, while the materials sector added 0.60 percent.

The final presidential debate in the United States, where nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are set to go head-to-head ahead of the November elections, starting from 9:00 a.m. HK/SIN. Recent polls have indicated Clinton, the Democratic nominee, was decisively pulling ahead.

In the U.S., the Dow Jones industrial average rose 40.68 points, or 0.22 percent, to 18,202.62; the S&P 500 index advanced 4.69 points, or 0.22 percent, to end at 2,144.29, while the Nasdaq rose 2.58 points, or 0.05 percent, to 5,246.41.

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed crude stocks fell 5.2 million barrels in the week ended October 14, shattering market expectations for a 2.7-million barrel build.That sent global benchmark Brent higher by 1.9 percent to $52.67 a barrel, while U.S. crude futures advanced 2.6 percent to $51.60. The front-month November contract for U.S. crude is set to expire following Thursday's session.