Asian markets settled lower on Wednesday after private surveys showed factory activity around the world took a further turn for the worse in July. Investors also fretted after rating agency Fitch downgraded the sovereign rating of the United States from AAA to AA+ due to its finances and debt burden. Meanwhile, Investors were awaiting US ADP employment data for July due out later in the day. Chinese shares declined amidst lack of details on stimulus measures, while downbeat China housing data also adding pressure on market sentiments. Moreover, Japanese shares dropped after BoJ minutes of June policy meeting showed that the board agreed on the need to keep ultra-loose policy for the time being.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,261.69 | -29.26 | -0.90 |
| Hang Seng | 19,517.38 | -493.74 | -2.53 |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,854.51 | -31.99 | -0.47 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,444.56 | -6.68 | -0.46 |
| Nikkei 225 | 32,707.69 | -768.89 | -2.35 |
| Straits Times | 3,325.02 | -48.77 | -1.47 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,616.47 | -50.60 | -1.93 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 16,893.73 | -319.14 | -1.89 |
