The Hong Kong stock market has finished lower in consecutive trading days, sinking more than 350 points or 1.9 percent along the way. The Hang Seng Index now sits just above the 18,475-point plateau and it's likely to open to the downside again on Thursday.

The China stock market has finished higher in two of three trading days since the end of the two-day losing streak in which it had slumped almost 70 points or 2.2 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index now sits just above the 3,110-point plateau although it figures to head south again on Thursday.

The Taiwan stock market on Wednesday ended the two-day winning streak in which it had climbed almost 300 points or 1.3 percent. The Taiwan Stock Exchange now rests just above the 21,660-point plateau and it may extend its losses on Thursday.

The Singapore stock market on Wednesday ended the two-day winning streak in which it had collected almost 15 points or 0.5 percent. The Straits Times Index now rests just beneath the 3,325-point plateau and the losses may accelerate on Thursday.

The Malaysia stock market has moved lower in four straight trading days, sinking almost 25 points or 1.6 percent along the way. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index now sits just above the 1,605-point plateau and it's likely to remain under pressure again on Thursday.

The AUD/USD pair rose to 0.6650 on Wednesday following the release of Australian economic data. Australia’s consumer price index (CPI) accelerated to 3.6% year-on-year in April, up from 3.5% in March.

Expert market comment made by senior analyst Alex Kuptsikevich of the FxPro Analyst Team: Accelerating German inflation supports the euro on the downturn

Expert market comment made by senior analyst Alex Kuptsikevich of the FxPro Analyst Team: Australia's inflation is ticking up despite weak retail sales

US stock indices under pressure as yields climb. German CPI could dictate next week’s ECB rhetoric. Yen underperformance lingers; all eyes on Friday’s Tokyo CPI

The Dollar Index, which measures the value of the Greenback against 6 major currencies, steadied to finish with modest gains at 104.63 (104.55 yesterday).