Tokyo stocks fell sharply on Tuesday, with the Nikkei index ending at a two-week low below the key 50,000 line, as caution prevailed before the release of key U.S. economic indicators.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, lost 2.1 percent to close at 3,071.76 points Tuesday.The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Chinese stocks closed lower on Tuesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 1.11 percent to 3,824.81 points.The Shenzhen Component Index closed 1.51 percent lower at 12,914.67 points.

The Hang Seng Index lost 80.96 points, or 0.32 percent, to open at 25,547.92 points on Tuesday.

The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, strengthened 54 pips to 7.0602 against the U.S. dollar Tuesday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was down 0.23 percent to open at 3,130.43 points Tuesday.

U.S. stocks ended lower on Monday.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 41.49 points, or 0.09 percent, to 48,416.56. The S&P 500 sank 10.9 points, or 0.16 percent, to 6,816.51. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 137.76 points, or 0.59 percent, to 23,057.41.

Chinese stocks opened lower on Tuesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.17 percent to open at 3,861.51 points.The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.21 percent lower at 13,084.88 points.

Hong Kong's stock market ended lower Monday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index down 1.34 percent to close at 25,628.88 points.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, lost 1.77 percent to close at 3,137.8 points Monday.The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed

Chinese stocks closed lower on Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.55 percent to 3,867.92 points.The Shenzhen Component Index closed 1.1 percent lower at 13,112.09 points.

The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 18 pips to 7.0656 against the U.S. dollar Monday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was down 1.16 percent to open at 3,157.32 points Monday.

Chinese stocks opened lower on Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.62 percent to open at 3,865.4 points.The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.81 percent lower at 13,150.43 points.

Tokyo stocks ended higher Friday on buying following the Federal Reserve's decision to cut the policy rate for the third straight time.

Hong Kong's stock market ended higher Friday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index up 1.75 percent to close at 25,976.79 points.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 0.97 percent to close at 3,194.36 points Friday.

Chinese stocks closed higher on Friday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.41 percent to 3,889.35 points. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.84 percent higher at 13,258.33 points.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was up 0.29 percent to open at 3,172.73 points Friday.

Chinese stocks opened mixed on Friday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.1 percent to open at 3,869.41 points. The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.21 percent higher at 13,174.45 points.