Asia’s benchmark stock index fell for a fifth day to trade at the lowest level in six weeks before the release of minutes of the Federal Reserve’s July meeting.

Nikkei 225 13,424.33 +27.95 +0.21%

Hang Seng 21,817.73 -152.56 -0.69%

S&P/ASX 200 5,099.99 +21.81 +0.43%

Shanghai Composite 2,072.96 +0.37 +0.02%

BHP Billiton Ltd.  sank 2.2 percent in Sydney after the world’s biggest mining company reported a drop in second-half profit amid slowing growth in emerging economies.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. tumbled 9.3 percent after Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said it plans to increase the severity level of a radiated water leak at its Fukushima plant.

Cnooc Ltd.  surged 4.9 percent in Hong Kong after China’s largest offshore oil and gas explorer posted a better-than-estimated increase in first-half profit.