• Asian stocks were mixed on Tuesday and the dollar gave up the gains it had made when the U.S. Treasury Secretary spoke in support of a stronger currency as escalating tensions around North Korea dragged sentiment lower.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS dropped 0.5 percent.
• Japan's Nikkei stock index took its cue from a rebound in U.S. shares and a weaker yen on Tuesday, ending higher and pulling away from its recent five-month lows.
The Nikkei finished up 0.4 percent at 18,418.59.
• China stocks steadied on Tuesday morning following two consecutive sessions of falls, aided by a rebound in small-caps and continued strength in consumer shares, although concerns linger over the sustainability of the economic recovery.
China's blue-chip CSI300 index rose 0.1 percent, to 3,482.41 points by the lunch break, while the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.1 percent, to 3,218.52 points.
• Hong Kong stocks closed at a one-month low after posting their biggest percentage drop in four months, as investors returning from their holiday break had their first chance to react to escalating tensions over North Korea.
The Hang Seng index fell 1.4 percent, to 23,924.54, while the China Enterprises Index lost 1.6 percent to 10,043.52 points.
Thai
Eng