Asian stocks fell, after European slowdown concerns caused a rout in U.S. shares and Hong Kong’s government canceled talks with protesters.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 faltered 178.38 points, or 1.2%, to 15,300.55.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index collapsed 445.99 points, or 1.9%, to conclude a seesaw week at 23,088.54,
Inpex Corp., Japan’s biggest oil explorer, led losses among energy companies as crude futures extended a drop into a bear market.
Hotel Shilla Co., a retailer and resort operator, capped its biggest weekly decline since December 2008 amid speculation South Korea will allow more duty-free shops in the country.
Mitsubishi Materials Corp., which processes copper and zinc, slid 2.6% in Tokyo after a report it missed its first-half operating profit forecast.
As mentioned, Hong Kong canceled talks with pro-democracy protesters after leaders of the movement called supporters back into the streets. The occupation by demonstrators, who are upset with Beijing demands to vet candidates for the city’s leadership, is illegal and must end, according to a Hong Kong official.
In other markets;
Taiwan’s Taiex index was shuttered for a holiday
Korea’s Kospi index returned from holiday to lose 24.33 points, or 1.2%, to 1,940.92.
Shanghai’s CSI 300 index dropped 15.17 points, or 0.6%, to 2,466.79.
In Singapore, the Straits Times STI index subtracted 35.38 points, or 1.1%, to 3,223.87
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 slumped 40.90 points, or 0.8%, to 5,225.14
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gave back 108.47 points, or 1.1%, to 5,296.68
