Nikkei
Japanese stocks declined, driven by losses in the electronics and machinery sectors, as investors were seen taking profit after the recent rally in the market.
The Topix fell 1.3% to close at 2,206.30, while the Nikkei declined 1.8% to 31,913.74. The Topix is still up about 17% this year, outpacing gains in global peers.
Sony Group contributed the most to the Topix decline, decreasing 1.9%. Out of 2,157 stocks in the index, 599 rose and 1,473 fell, while 85 were unchanged.
Hang Seng
Hong Kong stocks ended with gains on Wednesday thanks to a rally in Chinese tech firms, with another batch of weak mainland economic data fuelling speculation leaders could unveil more stimulus measures to boost growth.
The Hang Seng Index climbed 0.80 percent, or 152.72 points, to 19,252.00.
The Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.08 percent, or 2.42 points, to 3,197.76, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on China's second exchange eased 0.17 percent, or 3.34 points, to 1,995.28.
Gold
Gold futures ended sharply lower on Wednesday, with prices at their lowest in more than a week.
Given how the market has have entered the blackout period for Federal Reserve speakers ahead of next week's monetary policy meeting, and the rest of the week is light on U.S. data, "the precious metal could remain trapped in a range," said Lukman Otunuga, manager, market analysis at FXTM.
Gold for August delivery declined by $23.10, or 1.2%, to settle at $1,958.40 an ounce on Comex, the lowest most-active contract finish since May 30, FactSet data show.
Oil
Oil futures settled higher Wednesday, with U.S. benchmark prices turning positive for the week after U.S. government data revealed a weekly decline in domestic crude supplies.
Overall, oil has "stalled this week as traders haven't really bought into demand growth story," said Manish Raj, managing director at Velandera Energy Partners. Wednesday's Energy Information Administration report showing a "massive buildup in gasoline and diesel inventory reaffirms demand fear, as the highly anticipated demand pickup has yet to arrive."
July West Texas Intermediate crude rose 79 cents, or 1.1%, to settle at $72.53 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, trading about 1.1% higher week to date. As of Tuesday's settlement, it had been flat for the week.
