Global markets today, Aug. 20 -- Asian markets slipped on Wednesday, mirroring Wall Street's overnight losses, as investors assessed Japan's trade data and awaited China's loan prime rate decision.

Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 0.93 per cent, while the Topix shed 0.31 per cent. Exports from Japan fell 2.6 per cent year-on-year in July, marking their sharpest decline in more than four years.

In South Korea, the Kospi slid 1.52 per cent and the Kosdaq retreated 1.77 per cent. Meanwhile, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 opened 0.24 per cent lower.

Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were at 24,977, indicating a softer start compared with the previous close of 25,122.9.

The Nasdaq and S&P 500 slipped on Tuesday, weighed down by declines in tech s...