Investing.com - Asian stocks were lower on Tuesday, as investors sold for profits in lackluster trading in a session absent of guidance from markets in Japan, which were closed on holiday.
During Asian trading on Tuesday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.63%, while Australia's S&P/ASX200 was down 0.37%.
In Australia, investors sold stocks in financial and mining companies for profits, while losses in real estate and banking shares brought indices down in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, the top decliners included Esprit Holdings, down 3.03%, China Unicom, down 2.19%, and Li & Fung, down 2.12%.
In Australia, the top decliners included Lynas Corp., down 4.10%, Sims Metal Management, down 3.75%, and OneSteel, down 3.70%.
European stock futures indicated a lower opening.
France's CAC 40 futures pointed to a loss of 0.07%, while Germany's DAX 30 futures signaled a loss of 0.18%. Meanwhile, in the U.K., the FTSE 100 futures indicated a loss of 0.10%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.08% while the S&P 500 futures were down 0.11%.
Later Tuesday, New Zealand is to publish official data on the country's current account balance as well as on visitor arrivals.
In the U.S. on Tuesday, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is to speak at an event in Washington; his comments will be closely watched for possible indications on the future direction of monetary policy.
Also in the U.S., the government will unveil official data on building permits, an important gauge of future construction activity, as well as data on housing starts, a leading indicator of economic health.
During Asian trading on Tuesday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.63%, while Australia's S&P/ASX200 was down 0.37%.
In Australia, investors sold stocks in financial and mining companies for profits, while losses in real estate and banking shares brought indices down in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, the top decliners included Esprit Holdings, down 3.03%, China Unicom, down 2.19%, and Li & Fung, down 2.12%.
In Australia, the top decliners included Lynas Corp., down 4.10%, Sims Metal Management, down 3.75%, and OneSteel, down 3.70%.
European stock futures indicated a lower opening.
France's CAC 40 futures pointed to a loss of 0.07%, while Germany's DAX 30 futures signaled a loss of 0.18%. Meanwhile, in the U.K., the FTSE 100 futures indicated a loss of 0.10%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.08% while the S&P 500 futures were down 0.11%.
Later Tuesday, New Zealand is to publish official data on the country's current account balance as well as on visitor arrivals.
In the U.S. on Tuesday, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is to speak at an event in Washington; his comments will be closely watched for possible indications on the future direction of monetary policy.
Also in the U.S., the government will unveil official data on building permits, an important gauge of future construction activity, as well as data on housing starts, a leading indicator of economic health.