Asian markets were a mixed bag on Tuesday as weak China data countered the initial optimism set off by Wall Street overnight, after the benchmark S&P 500 notched its fifth consecutive monthly gain.

Sterling could kick off the new trading month with a bang as focus falls on the Bank of England rate decision.

As the countdown draws closer to the European Central Bank (ECB) meeting, investors are still digesting the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy decision overnight.

An air of tension settled over financial markets on Wednesday as investors braced for the pivotal Federal Reserve rate decision.