A Quick Glance at News

v Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index poised for its longest losing streak in six weeks, as the European Union’s outlook was cut by Moody’s Investors Service ahead of policy makers’ meetings. Australian shares declined as the central bank left the key rate unchanged.

v The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.4 percent to 117.31 as of 2:20 p.m. in Tokyo, headed for a four-day decline, the longest streak since July 25. About five stocks dropped for every three that gained on the measure.

v Australia maintained the highest benchmark interest rate among major developed economies as domestic demand weathers a global slowdown that’s driving down the price of iron ore, the nation’s biggest commodity export.

v Futures on the S&P 500 added 0.1 percent today before a report expected to show manufacturing teetered between growth and contraction in August after shrinking in July. U.S. equity markets were shut yesterday for a holiday.

v Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 0.4 percent. South Korea’s Kospi index slid 0.2 percent. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.6 percent. New Zealand’s NZX 50 Index gained 0.2 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.2 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.5 percent as Societe Generale SA cut its forecast for China’s real gross domestic growth.

v EU President Herman Van Rompuy is traveling to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel today as Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti welcomes French President Francois Hollande to Rome.

v Banks led declines among shares in Sydney after the Reserve Bank of Australia left the overnight cash-rate target at 3.5 percent as domestic demand weathers a global slowdown. Westpac slid 2.3 percent to A$24.29 and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ), Australia’s third largest lender, dropped 2.3 percent to A$24.27.

v The euro gained against the yen on speculation European Central Bank President Mario Draghi’s plan to buy bonds of debt-saddled nations in the region will bolster confidence in the single currency.

v Oil climbed to the highest intraday price in more than a week in New York on speculation central banks will take more steps to boost economic growth, spurring demand for raw materials.

v Gold edged higher on Tuesday to the highest level in more than five months as lackluster manufacturing data from around the globe fanned speculation of imminent easing measures from central banks.

v Baidu Inc. (BIDU), owner of China’s most- used search-engine, released a new Internet browser for mobile devices running Google Inc. (GOOG)’s Android system that allows users to play Web games and watch videos without a media player.

v Lenovo Group Ltd. said it will consider acquisitions to drive growth and build competence as the world’s second-largest personal computer maker expands in new areas such as mobile devices.