U.S. markets closed lower for the fifth time on Tuesday as data showed slower growth in the service sector and oil prices continued to slump weighing down the energy sector. The DOW JONES index lost -0.74% closing at 17,371.64 points. The S&P 500 declined by -0.89% with a final quote of 2,002.61 just above the 2,000 points mark after falling intraday below the important level. Investors now await the FED's December minutes today and Nonfarm Payrolls due on Friday. The minutes may give further indication on the FED's 'patient' approach on rising benchmark interest rates for the first time since 2006.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng added +0.93% to 23,703.50 points. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,374.45 points, a gain of +0.69% ending the day at new 5-year highs as Petro-China rallied 6 percent. The index rose almost 64% last year.

Japan's Nikkei ended the day flat with a little plus of +0.01% at 16,885.33 after a choppy session ending a four day losing streak.