Asian stocks slid, extending the regional benchmark index's first monthly decline since October, as a drop in Japanese brokerages and shipping lines limited a rebound in the nation's shares.

Nikkei 225 13,774.54 +185.51 +1.37%

S&P/ASX 200 4,926.6 -4.08 -0.08%

Shanghai Composite 2,300.59 -17.15 -0.74%

Japanese shipping companies dropped the most among the Topix index's 33 industry groups, with Mitsui O.S.K Lines Ltd. falling 4.2 percent.

Nomura Holdings Ltd. declined 1.9 percent, leading losses among brokerages.

Huaneng Power International Inc. slid 3.2 percent in Hong Kong, pacing declines among utilities.

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining company by market value, rose 1.2 percent in Sydney as copper is set for first monthly increase in four months.