Asian stocks fell in early trade today as investors grew increasingly averse to risk ahead of a key European leaders’ summit, which took a toll on assets across the board and supported safe-haven government bonds.
US stocks ended lower on Wednesday as the sentiment was also undermined by the Federal Reserve's Beige Book report, which suggested the outlook for the US economy grew dimmer in September.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 94.53 points or 1.08 per cent to 8,678.01. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng plunged 346.69 points or 1.89 per cent to 17,962.53. Singapore’s Straits Times was down 19.69 points or 0.72 per cent at 2,700.52. South Korea’s Kospi was down 8.89 points or 0.48 per cent at 1,847.03.
Australia’s S&P/Asx 200 lost 67.00 points or 1.59 per cent to 4,146.70. China’s Shanghai Composite was down 46.27 points or 1.95 per cent at 2,331.24. Taiwan’s Taiex shed 75.29 points or 1.02 per cent to 7,278.08.