US fiscal uncertainty triggers regional sell-off

Nikkei: 9,901.35 (–145.84) Hang Seng: 22,570.74 (+29.05) Shanghai Comp: 2,708.78 (–14.71)

ASIAN MARKETS fell yesterday, as weak US economic data soured sentiment further, adding to worries about a potential sovereign debt default in Washington.

The region’s exporters were the most exposed to news that durable goods orders fell 2.1 per cent within one of their biggest destination markets.

Toyota, the world’s largest car maker by sales, slid 2.2 per cent to ¥3,185, while Honda fell 1.9 per cent to ¥3,085.

Nissan was also caught in the selling, its stock fell 2.1 per cent to ¥830.

The wider trading pattern left electronic component maker Advantest more vulnerable to news of a 57 per cent fall in first-quarter operating profit. Its shares fell 6.9 per cent to ¥1,400.

Panasonic was a bright spot, gaining 1.9 per cent to ¥929.

The pattern was similar in Hong Kong, where companies heavily reliant on global trade lost ground.

Foxconn International was off 0.6 per cent at HK$3.61.

Lenovo retreated 2.5 per cent to HK$5.02.

Aluminium Corporation of China rose 2.9 per cent in strong volume to HK$6.74. – (Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2011)