Asian shares ended mixed on Tuesday ahead of crucial policy meetings this week at the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan.
The Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo retreated 30.27 points, or 0.3%, to 10,721.71
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong skidded 56.17 points, or 0.3%, to 21,022.93.
Japanese exporter stocks retreated after a series of strong performances over the past few days, while coal miners extended their drop in Hong Kong after China Shenhua Energy Co.'s weaker-than-expected earnings last week.
The decline in Japan came after strong gains over the past few days, which were fueled by hopes of further BoJ policy easing and were prompted by mild gains for the yen against the U.S. dollar.
Among exporters, Canon Inc.lost 1.3% and Honda Motor Co. dropped 1.5%.
Shipping stocks also ranked among the losers after sharp gains on Monday. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines dropped 1% and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha slid 0.6%.
Mining stocks pushed the Australian market higher after a broad overnight recovery on Wall Street. BHP Billiton inched up 0.4% and Rio Tinto edged 0.2% higher.
Shares of National Australia Bank dropped 0.3%.
Telstra Corp. gained 2.3% after the federal government delayed a senate debate on a plan to split the phone company until later this week. This followed resistance from the federal opposition and independent senators.
Coal-mining stocks declined further in Hong Kong after China Shenhua's weaker-than-expected results, announced Friday. Shenhua's stock dropped 2.7%, on top of Monday's 3.9% tumble.
China Coal Energy Co. gave up 0.7%, while Yanzhou Coal Mining Co. declined 1.6%.
Hong Kong-listed shares of Chinese steel mills also declined, after Merrill Lynch cut the earnings estimates of Maanshan Iron & Steel Co. and Angang Steel Co. Angang gave up 1.5%, while Maanshan slipped 0.2%.
Seoul stocks were still being weighed down by concerns about the impact on South Korean exports of potential policy tightening by China.
Shares of Hynix Semiconductor rose 0.4% to 23,600 won ($20.90 U.S.) following news that its creditors have raised $813.5 million U.S. by selling roughly 6.7% of the chip maker at the top end of an indicative price range, at 23,500 won per share.
Wellington stocks were pulled lower by a 1.8% drop in shares of market heavyweight Telecom Corp. of New Zealand, after the company said the government's rural broadband plans would hurt its earnings over the next three fiscal years.
New Zealand Refining Co. surged 6.2% after its monthly refining report showed a marked improvement in margins.
The U.S. dollar was at 90.38 yen compared with 90.48 yen in late New York trade Monday. The euro was at $1.3681 U.S. versus $1.3670 U.S. and at 123.68 yen against 123.69 yen.
Elsewhere;
Shanghai’s CSI 300 Index regained 20.79 points, or 0.7%, to 3,203.97.
Korea’s Kospi index fell back 1.49 points, or 0.1%, to 1,648.01
Singapore’s Straits Times Index picked up 22.10 points, or 0.8%, to 2,896.43
Taiwan’s Taiex Index moved upwards 60.71 points, or 0.8%, to 7,695.63
New Zealand’s NZX Index settled 23.35 points, or 0.7%, to 3,207.80
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 13.10 points, or 0.3%, to 4,797.20
