Asian markets close midweek in negative

ISTANBUL

The major Asian stock markets closed lower on Wednesday.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, lost 41.31 points, or 1.26%, to 3,247.39 at 0959GMT.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 stock exchange was down by 244.87 points, or 0.91%, to reach 26,804.60 at the day’s close.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, fell 422.08 points or 1.88%, to 21,996.89.

China’s Shanghai Stock Exchange dropped, going down by 47.69 points or 1.4%, to 3,361.52.

India's Sensex benchmark fell by 210.66 points, or 0.40%, to close at 52,966.79, while the Singapore index dropped 5.34 points, or 0.17%, to 3,134.87.