China's inflation fears pull markets lower

Nikkei: 9,591.52 (–62.40) Hang Seng: 24,008.07 (–5.93) Shanghai Comp: 3,050.81 (+8

Nikkei: 9,591.52 (–62.40) Hang Seng: 24,008.07 (–5.93) Shanghai Comp: 3,050.81 (+8.17)ASIAN STOCKS fell yesterday, dragging the regional index toward its first loss in four weeks, after China reported that inflation in the world's second-largest economy rose faster than estimated, increasing speculation that the government will need to do more to contain growth.

Economy Belle International fell 1 per cent to HK$15.48, posting the second-biggest drop on the Hang Seng index.

China Resources Land, a state-controlled developer, fell 2 per cent to HK$14.60.

Fanuc, Japan’s top maker of industrial robots, slipped 1.1 per cent to ¥13,150 in Tokyo, the heaviest drag on the Nikkei 225.

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Komatsu, a machinery maker which counts China as its biggest market, fell 1.5 per cent to ¥2,785.

BHP fell 1 per cent to A$47.53, the second-biggest drag on the MSCI Asia Pacific Index.

Rio Tinto, the world’s second-largest mining company by sales, dropped 1.1 per cent to A$84.15.

Mitsubishi, Japan’s largest commodities trader, fell 2 per cent to ¥2,187.

Newcrest Mining, Australia’s biggest gold producer, increased 1.5 per cent to A$41.30.

– (Bloomberg)