Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index heading for its first monthly decline since May, as investors await a speech by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and as reports showed lower industrial output in South Korea and Japan amid slowing economic growth.

Nikkei 225 8,839.91 -143.87 -1.60%

S&P/ASX 200 4,316.11 +0.44 +0.01%

Shanghai Composite 2,047.52 -5.06 -0.25%

Sharp Corp. sank 13 percent as Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group founder Terry Gou ended a visit to Japan without announcing the conclusion of a deal to invest in the Japanese electronics maker.

China Shipping Container Lines Co. slid 7 percent after brokerages including Jefferies Group Inc. downgraded ratings and price targets for the nation’s second- largest shipping company.