Gold prices edged higher on Tuesday after the dollar pulled back, although the moves were muted as traders awaited the U.S. inflation data and the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates.
Australian shares edged higher on Wednesday after a sharp drop in the previous session, as traders awaited quarterly economic growth data due later in the day for further direction.
The Australian and New Zealand dollars were battered on Wednesday after soft manufacturing data reinforced concern of a sharp economic slowdown in China, while Australian short-term bond yields climbed after a hot inflation report.
Emerging market stocks slumped on Wednesday as a faster-than-expected slowdown in China's factory activity exacerbated fears of a weak recovery in the world's second-largest economy, while Turkey's lira continued its descent to all-time lows.