Asian markets mostly off after weak Wall St lead

Asian markets mostly edged lower Wednesday following a slip on Wall Street and on profit-taking after the previous day's strong showing, according to AFP. Tokyo fell 0.71 percent, or 72.58 points, to 10,182.57 and Seoul slipped 0.39 percent, or 8.02 points, to 2,031.74, but Sydney rose 0.98 percent, or 42.2 points, to 4,343.5. In the afternoon Hong Kong was 0.92 percent lower and Shanghai gave up 1.90 percent. Investors consolidated their gains after a rally on Tuesday that was fuelled by comments from US Fed chief Ben Bernanke indicating the central bank would continue with its loose monetary policy. However, while his speech on Monday was market-friendly, his warning that the economy still had a long way to go and that the recent jobless falls might not continue acted as a counterweight.