Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index retreating from a one-month high, as Spain’s borrowing costs climbed to a euro-area record and optimism faded that Greece’s election result will calm the debt crisis.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Greece should not be given more leeway to comply with austerity measures needed to secure international aid after pro-bailout parties won enough seats to form a majority in parliament.
Nikkei 225 8,655.87   -65.15 -0.75%        
Hang Seng 19,416.67  -11.14 -0.06%        
S&P/ASX 200 4,123.33      -13.57 -0.33%        
Shanghai Composite 2,300.8   -15.26 -0.66%        
Esprit Holdings Ltd., a clothier that counts Europe as its largest market, declined 2 percent in Hong Kong.
Fairfax Media Ltd. sank 8.5 percent in Sydney amid reports Gina Rinehart, Asia’s richest woman, is seeking three seats on the publisher’s board and power to fire editors.
Canon Inc., a camera maker that gets about 31 percent of sales from Europe, dropped 1.2 percent to 3,200 yen in Tokyo.