European stocks closed with losses Tuesday, feeling the weight of a rising euro, as profit warnings and merger concerns also hit the region's equities. The shared currency gained after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said in a speech in Portugal that "a considerable degree" of stimulus is needed in the eurozone, a step back from the stimulus levels signaled in earlier speeches.

U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday, with major indexes ending near session lows after Senate Republicans delayed a vote on health care legislation and as losses for technology shares deepened. Tuesday marked the second straight daily decline for the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 has fallen in four of the past six sessions while the Dow has dropped in five of the past six.

Stock selling eased in the Asia-Pacific region Wednesday after overnight declines in the U.S. and Europe on worries the European Central Bank would reduce monetary stimulus.