Investing.com - Asian stock markets were mostly lower on Tuesday, following a downbeat session on Wall Street as investors remained cautious over ongoing tensions in Ukraine and amid concerns China’s economy may be running out of steam.
During late Asian trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index shed 0.4%, China’s Shanghai Composite Index eased up 0.05%, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index closed 0.19% lower, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index ended down 0.36%.
Asia was given a negative lead from the U.S., where markets ended lower following a disappointing U.S. manufacturing report and as investors continued to monitor events in Ukraine.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei ended modestly lower as the yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar. USD/JPY fell to a daily low of 102.13, moving away from the previous session’s high of 102.63.
Index heavyweights Fast Retailing (9983.TOK) and Softbank (9984.TOK) saw shares drop 1.2% and 3.2% respectively.
Meanwhile, in Australia, the ASX/200 Index ended lower as losses in the mining sector weighed on the benchmark index.
Gold producers Newcrest Mining (NCM.ASX) and Kingsgate Consolidated (KCN.ASX) slumped 5% and 6% respectively, while Perseus Mining (PRU.ASX) dropped 6.3%.
Elsewhere, shares in mainland China and Hong Kong swung between gains and losses with attention focused on growth prospects for China, where hopes for government stimulus appear unlikely.
Index heavyweights Lenovo Group (0992.HK) and Tencent (0700.HK) retreated 1.7% and 4.7% respectively.
Looking ahead, European stock market futures pointed to a modestly higher open. The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 futures pointed to a gain of 0.4%, France’s CAC 40 futures added 0.4%, London’s FTSE 100 futures indicated a rise of 0.15%, while Germany's DAX futures picked up 0.35%.
Germany is to release the Ifo report on business climate later in the session.
Across the Atlantic, U.S. equity markets pointed to a steady open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a gain of 0.01%, S&P 500 futures inched down 0.08%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a rise of 0.03%.
The U.S. is to release report on house price inflation and consumer confidence, as well as official data on new home sales later Tuesday.