Investing.com - Asian shares held weaker on Tuesday with Sydney down after Australia's central bank held steady as expected in its latest interest rate decision on Tuesday
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 eased 0.25% with the financial sub-index down as shares of major Australian banks slipped — ANZ declined 0.5%, while the Commonwealth Bank fell 0.8% and National Australia Bank dipped 0.75% as the central bank appeared to adopt a neutral bias.
"The outlook continues to be supported by the low level of interest rates," RBA Governor Philip Lowe said in a statement. "Lenders have recently announced increases in mortgage rates, particularly those paid by investors. Financial institutions remain in a good position to lend. The depreciation of the exchange rate since 2013 has also assisted the economy in its transition following the mining investment boom. An appreciating exchange rate would complicate this adjustment."
Earlier, Australia reported a trade balance surplus of A$3.574 billion, nearly double the A$1.80 billion seen as exports rose 1% and imports dipped 5%.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 1.05%. Markets in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and India are closed for public holiday.
Overnight, U.S. stocks were lower after the close on Monday, as losses in the Industrials, Consumer Services and Basic Materials sectors led shares lower.
At the close in NYSE, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.06%, while the S&P 500 index fell 0.16%, and the NASDAQ Composite index fell 0.29%.