Global stock markets were mixed in sluggish, year-end trade Wednesday, following a lackluster session on Wall Street as many investors held back after this year's global rally.
A number of Asian markets fluctuated, with Japan's benchmark closing down on its last day of trade as shares of Japan Airlines plummeted amid fears the beleaguered carrier could file for bankruptcy. European stocks were little changed. The dollar regained some strength against the euro and the yen, while oil prices were slightly higher.
Weighing on the broader market was a middling session on Wall Street, where stocks snapped a six-day advance as reports showing upticks in home prices and consumer confidence did little to inspire buyers.
Stocks in Asia and other fast-growing regions have risen massively in 2009 and investors are reluctant to take on more risk.
"Markets have ... shot up too much, and there's a reluctance to invest any more," said Linus Yip, a strategist at First Shanghai Securities in Hong Kong.
Early in Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 was off 0.1 percent, Germany's DAX lost 0.2 percent and France's CAC-40 gained 0.1 percent. U.S. futures pointed to a modestly lower open on Wall Street.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 stock average fell 91.62 points, or 0.9 percent, to 10,546.44, with shares of JAL tumbling 32 percent at one point to a new low. Its stock closed down 24 pct. For the year, the benchmark gained 19 percent, well behind the 2009 advance of other Asian markets.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng was flat, off 2.82 points to 21,496.62
Among other losing markets, Australia's benchmark shed 0.2 percent and India's key index was down 0.2 percent.
Elsewhere, South Korea's Kospi gained 0.6 percent to 1,682.77 and China's Shanghai market rose 1.6 percent to 3,262.60.
In the U.S. Tuesday, markets were underwhelmed by news a key gauge of consumer confidence rose to 52.9 in December from 49.5 in November.
Though slightly above some forecasts, the report contained troubling details showing debt-saddled American consumers were still unwilling to spend on big-ticket items like cars and appliances, said Dariusz Kowalczyk, chief investment strategist for SJS Markets in Hong Kong.
"It's a negative for Asian exporters, and that likely contributed to many markets declines today," Kowalczyk said.
The Dow slipped 1.67, or less than 0.1 percent, to 10,545.41.
The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 1.58, or 0.1 percent, to 1,126.20, while the Nasdaq composite index fell 2.68, or 0.1 percent, to 2,288.40.
Oil prices were slightly higher in Asia, with benchmark crude for February delivery up 9 cents to $78.96 a barrel. The contract added 10 cents to settle at $78.87 on Tuesday.
In currencies, the dollar rose to 92.06 yen from 92.02 yen. The euro was lower at $1.4350 from $1.4355.
