Asian markets end mostly lower on Tuesday

Asian equity markets ended mostly lower on Tuesday, despite Wall Street's three major stock indexes closing at record highs overnight, on the back of a jump in oil prices to nearly five-week highs and renewed expectations for continued monetary policy easing around the globe. Japanese shares hit their lowest level in more than a week on selling pressure in late trades, as the yen strengthened toward 100 per US dollar ahead of a slew of US economic data due later in the day. Chinese stocks too pulled back from seven-month highs as a sharp correction in bank shares offset sustained strength in the property sector. Meanwhile, Hong Kong shares were roughly flat, as they cooled off after reaching their highest point this year.