European stock mkts rose on growing signs that a new bailout for Greece could be finalised while sentiment got a boost by the latest Chinese move to ease credit.
Australian shares slipped 0.3 percent in morning trade on Tuesday, shrugging off gains on Wall Street as news that Moody's downgraded six European sovereigns.
Shares and the euro slipped, as initial relief over Greece's approval of austerity measures gave way to doubts about Athens' ability to pursue the reforms.
Tokyo shares opened lower on Tuesday after Moody's cut the debt ratings and outlooks of several European countries, blaming the ongoing fallout from the eurozone crisis.