Shares in the Asia-Pacific fell Friday as investors digest U.S. economic data and China’s industrial production and retail sales figures for August, which beat expectations.
The Nikkei 225 declined 308.26 points, or 1.1%, to 27,567.65.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index dived 168.69 points, or 0.9%, to 18,761.69
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 dropped 94.44 points, or 2.4%, to 3,932.68.
The offshore Chinese yuan weakened past 7 against the dollar overnight, and last changed hands at 7.03.
The onshore yuan also crossed the 7 level in Asia’s morning trade after the People’s Bank of China set the daily midpoint at 6.9305 against the dollar. It was last at 7.0187 per dollar.
China’s latest economic data release showed growth accelerated in August.
Retail sales increased 5.4% in August from the same period last year, much higher than July’s 2.7% and also above the Reuters forecast of 3.5%.
Industrial production grew 4.2% last month compared with a year ago, topping the prediction of 3.8% in a Reuters poll. Industrial output came in at 3.8% in July.
Fixed asset investment for January to August this year increased by 5.8%, beating the 5.5% estimate from Reuters.
In other markets
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index nicked ahead 0.31 points to 3,268.29.
In Korea, the Kospi index fell 19.05 points, or 0.8%, to 2,382.78.
In Taiwan, the Taiex caved in 108.28 points, or 0.7%, to 14,561.76
In Australia, the ASX 200 slouched 103.81 points, or 1.5%, to 6,739.08.
In New Zealand, the NZX lost 78.48 points, or 0.7%, to 11,580.46.
