Asian stocks fell, with the regional index heading for its third drop in five days, as Spain’s credit rating was cut and economic reports in the U.S and Europe added to concern the global economy is slowing.

Nikkei 225 8,568.89 -18.95 -0.22%

S&P/ASX 200 4,042.2 -21.59 -0.53%

Shanghai Composite 2,295.95 -22.98 -0.99%

Hutchison Whampoa Ltd., which operates ports in Germany and Spain, slid 1.5 percent in Hong Kong.

Esprit Holdings Ltd. sank 12 percent as the clothier’s chief executive officer and chairman quit within 24 hours of each other.

James Hardie Industries SE, a building-materials supplier that counts the U.S. as its biggest market, lost 2.1 percent in Sydney as retail sales in the world’s largest economy dropped.