European stocks finished slightly lower Tuesday, with declines in automobile shares and a rise in the euro drawing Germany's benchmark down from its previous record. "Markets seem to be enjoying the signs that incumbent governments are set for victory in upcoming elections," said Jasper Lawler, senior market analyst at London Capital Group, in a note.

The S&P 500 index on Tuesday marked its 15th session with a move within 0.5%, representing the longest such streak in about 48 years, according to Dow Jones data. The longest consecutive period of closes within 0.5% for the S&P 500 SPX, -0.07% is a 20-session streak in February 1969. Tuesday's trading come amid heightened doubts that President Donald Trump can easily push through Congress the type of market-friendly policies that have helped so-called risk assets log a series of all-time highs.

A falling U.S. dollar pressured stocks in Japan and cast broader concern over equity markets in the region, as turmoil in Washington continued to raise doubts about the Trump administration's ability to make progress on policy. The WSJ Dollar Index has fallen for five straight sessions, putting it at its lowest level since November. It fell a further 0.1% in Asian trading Wednesday.