Japan's core consumer inflation slowed for a third straight month in January but beat forecasts and held at the central bank's 2% target, keeping alive expectations it will end negative interest rates by April.

Sales of new U.S. single-family homes rose less than expected in January amid a sharp decline in the South region, but demand for new construction remains underpinned by a persistent shortage of previously owned homes.

The U.S. on Monday placed Canada-based Sandvine Inc on a trade restriction list for allegedly helping the Egyptian government target human rights activists and politicians.

Strong U.S. economic growth has been a "key driver" of better than expected global growth, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will tell a news conference on Tuesday ahead of this week's meeting of G20 finance officials in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Oil prices rose in Asian trade on Tuesday, extending the prior session’s gains as fears of tighter supplies- amid continued disruptions in global shipping activity and a conflict in the Middle East- sparked a strong recovery in prices this week.

Asian shares struggled to advance on Tuesday, with slightly warmer-than-expected Japanese inflation putting investors on guard ahead of price data due in Europe and the U.S. this week.