Asian equity markets end lower Wednesday as investors lock in recent gains following an overnight fall on Wall Street.

Technology and automobile stocks pace a broad rebound in Asian markets Tuesday, encouraged by strong overnight gains on Wall Street and expectations of improving global demand.

Asian stock markets end mostly weaker, dragged down by a decline in Chinese equities amid worries that mainland banks may have to issue new shares to meet stricter capital requirements.

Chinaâ??s benchmark stock index skidded 4.7% Wednesday on fears an expected fall in bank lending in the remainder of the year could affect liquidity, a crucial factor behind the heady rally on the mainland markets over the past few months.

AU Optronics says it will buy a majority stake in Japanese silicon wafer maker M. Setek to boost its presence in the solar-power sector.