Asian markets quieter in trading

Asian stock markets have opened quietly following two days of dramatic rises, BBC reported.

In Japan, a day after its biggest-ever one-day gain, the Nikkei index opened down fractionally, as did shares in Australia, with Taiwan dropping 1.26%.

In New York on Tuesday, Wall Street was also slightly down at the close of trading as investors took some profits after Monday's big rises in stocks.

Earlier US President Bush announced a $250bn (?143bn) plan to purchase stakes in banks to try to restore confidence.

However, fears the global economy may not be able to avoid a recession pushed the Dow Jones index 0.82% as investors turned their attention to the worsening economic outlook.

While bank shares were largely higher because of the US Treasury rescue plan, technology stocks fell.

Traders say Wall Street is expected to be nervous in the weeks ahead because of economic worries.