Asian markets finished mostly lower on Wednesday as investors awaited the US interest rate policy direction from minutes of the Fed's July meeting due to be published later today and US Fed Chair Powell's keynote speech on Friday. Japanese shares declined after data showed that the country’s balance of trade fell back into the red in July, while the yen strengthened back to the 145 levels per dollar and dimmed the outlook for exporters. Hong Kong shares fell as shares of e-commerce giant JD.com tumbled after its biggest shareholder Walmart sold its stake in the firm.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 2,856.58 | -10.08 | -0.35 |
| Hang Seng | 17,391.01 | -120.07 | -0.69 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,554.59 | 20.60 | 0.27 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,635.32 | -7.45 | -0.45 |
| Nikkei 225 | 37,951.80 | -111.12 | -0.29 |
| Straits Times | 3,373.76 | 3.45 | 0.10 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,701.13 | 4.50 | 0.17 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 22,237.89 | -191.21 | -0.86 |
