Asian stocks ended lower on Tuesday with investors turning cautious as the start of the US earnings season gets underway.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed down 90 points at 10,508 in Tokyo while the Hang Seng lost 218 points at 23,111.

The stronger yen also wiped out appetite for exporters such as equipment maker Komatsu, which sank 3.2%. Casio Computer lagged 3.1%, Toyota Motor lost 2% while Nissan motored over 1% lower. Mazda fell as much as 5% in Tokyo.

Sharp proved the exception, rebounding almost 4% following recent losses, on hopes that financially troubled firm will announce a way out of years of its shattered finances.

In currency news, the dollar was trading at ¥87.44 compared to ¥87.83 on Monday

Aozora Bank continued to nurse losses from the previous session after it was confirmed that Cerberus Capital is to offload the majority of its holding in the firm.

The Hang Seng was dragged lower on Tuesday with insurers among some of the day's biggest casualties. China Life Insurance fell 3.3% while Ping An Insurance tanked 4%.

China Pacific Insurance was down 2.9% after Carlyle Group said it would sell its remaining stake in the insurer.

Resource stocks also dragged with shares of Cnooc 1.9% lower while China Resources Land tumbled 2.8%.

In economic news, China is set to publish monthly trade data on Thursday and inflation data on Friday. China is also expected to release growth data for the final quarter of 2012 on Sunday.


CJ

Related share prices