Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Tuesday.
Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan will discuss US monetary policy with the Senate banking committee at 1830 GMT, after European bourses shut.
Investors hope Greenspan will give an optimistic outlook for the US economy while maintaining a gradual approach to raising interest rates as June's hike, the first in four years, takes its toll on the pace of activity.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index lost 29.8 points or 0.84 percent to end at 3,503.3.
The All share index closed up 6.51 points or 0.07 percent to 9,911.43, the Gold index ended down 13.38 points or 0.90 percent to 1472.94, while the Industrial index closed down 8.47 points or 0.12 percent to 7232.68.