New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- Asian equities mostly ended the final trading session of August lower as sentiment weakened following the latest escalation in Middle East tensions, with crude oil prices jumping sharply.

Adding to the cautious mood, global bond yields climbed to multi-year highs as investors braced for the possibility of a rate hike by the US Federal Reserve following comments on Friday by Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh about bringing down inflation despite possible short-term pain for the economy.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.14% to 66,311, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.18% to 9,076. South Korea's Kospi, however, bucked the broader trend and jumped 0.46% to 6,820.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed with marginal losses at 2...