The 16-nation euro is down against the dollar after Moody's ratings agency warned it is considering downgrading Spain's public debt.

Asian stock markets mostly fell on Wednesday amid expectations of a Chinese interest rate hike, but a weaker yen helped keep Japanese shares buoyant.

Commodities mostly fell Tuesday as the dollar rebounded and traders lost interest in a deal to extend Bush-era tax cuts.

The euro has slipped further against the dollar amid ongoing worries about Europe's government debt crisis.

Oil prices fell Wednesday in Asia as traders locked in profits after crude rose above US$90 a barrel for the first time in more than two years.

Asian markets were mostly higher Tuesday as dealers brushed off a report that China will hike interest rates soon, but Japanese shares sank as the yen surged against the dollar.

Gold prices are expected to scale higher at least over the next one year before the gains are capped, given the economic uncertainties in advanced nations and the volatile U.S. dollar, analysts said.

The 16-nation euro is up slightly against the dollar after eurozone ministers said the bailout fund is large enough, but did not rule out boosting it to fight the debt crisis.

Oil prices sank in Asian trade on Tuesday as jitters over an expected interest rate hike by the Chinese central bank scared traders, analysts said.

Most Asian stocks slipped on Monday as worse than expected jobs data out of the United States rekindled concerns over the world's biggest economy.