Asian markets end mostly in red on Wednesday

Asian stocks ended mostly in red on Wednesday as oil prices retreated and a big rise in Australian inflation weakened the case for a surprise November rate cut from the Reserve Bank of Australia. A slew of disappointing earnings results from the US and Yuan depreciation worries also kept investors on edge. Investors also remained nervous given the US election next month, the Federal Reserve's policy meeting in December, and over the health of China's economy. Chinese stocks fell as bond yields surged higher on concerns over banks' off-balance sheet wealth management products. Meanwhile, Japanese shares eked out modest gains as the yen held weaker at a three-month low against the dollar and a survey showed Japan's small business confidence strengthened for the second consecutive month in October.