Asian stock markets struggled for direction Tuesday morning, though beaten-up equities in Hong Kong and China got a lift from news of better-than-expected economic growth in the mainland.

European stocks ended lower on Monday, as traders weighed the limited strikes on the Syrian regime over the weekend and the potential for additional U.S. sanctions against Russia.

U.S. stocks closed sharply higher on Monday, with major indexes rallying in a broad advance as the first-quarter earnings season pointed to strong growth and geopolitical tensions showed signs of easing.