Switzerland: UBS Consumption Indicator slides to 1.18 in January

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average fell again today, by -1.27%, as investors almost confirm Kuroda as new BoJ Governor, after Japan’s opposition party (DPJ) announcing their support. Italy's political stalemate is hurting global sentiment. However, most Asian equity indexes edged higher on Wednesday: Mainland China's Shanghai Composite (+0.76%), South Korea's Kospi (+0.20%), Hong Kong's Hang Seng (+0.16%).