(Reuters) - Japanese shares closed at their lowest level in eight months on Tuesday and the dollar hovered near a 15-year year low against the yen on concerns of a global slowdown ahead of data from the United States and Europe.

(Reuters) - Retail banks are making less profit on average from customers since the financial crisis as price-sensitive consumers shop around and become more demanding, according to a report released on Monday.

(Reuters) - Chinese stocks fell 2 percent on Tuesday on reports that Beijing will not relax tougher property measures any time soon, weighing on the Australian dollar and curbing early gains in Asian shares.