Beijing, China (BBN)-Shares in Asia were in mostly negative territory in early trade on Tuesday following a mixed lead from Wall Street and as investors looked ahead to the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting this week.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 was down 0.17 per cent at 18,915.03 despite closing up on Monday on news of a China rate cut, reports BBC.
In China, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 0.42 per cent at 23,018.65 points.
The Shanghai Composite was down 1 per cent at 3,395.34.
Australia's benchmark index, the S&P/ASX 200 was flat, up just 0.05 per cent at 5,350.90.
Shares in one of the country's biggest lenders, National Australia Bank (NAB), were halted from trade on Tuesday, pending the release of an announcement about a "material transaction."
The bank had been discussing a possible life insurance deal with Nippon Life Insurance.
NAB is expected to release its full year results on Wednesday.
The lending giant is also expected to update the market regarding its plans to exit its operations in the UK.
In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi index was down 0.24 per cent at 2,043.15.
BBN/SK/AD