Asian Stocks End Mostly Lower; Europe Slips

Japan bucked the downward trend with the Nikkei 225 stock index gaining 0.9% to end at 9,840.85.

So did Shanghai's stock measure, recovering the session's losses to close higher by 1.2%, as investors found encouragement in comments from President Hu Jintao. Hu said Tuesday Beijing's stimulus is showing results and China is determined to take the lead in emerging from the global economic crisis.

Investors were wary after the Chinese government last week reported conflicting data showing exports falling but consumer spending and investment higher.

Oil prices fluctuated before rising in Asia, with benchmark crude for July delivery up 13 cents to $70.60. On Tuesday, the contract fell 15 cents.

In currencies, the dollar was higher at 96.28 yen from 96.17 yen. The euro rose to $1.3872 from $1.3813.

On Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 107.46, or 1.3%, to 8,504.67. The S&P 500 index fell 11.75, or 1.3%, to 911.97, while the Nasdaq composite index fell 20.20, or 1.1%, to 1,796.18.