Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index poised for its longest losing streak in six weeks, as the European Union’s outlook was cut by Moody’s Investors Service ahead of policy makers’ meetings. Australian shares declined as the central bank left the key rate unchanged.
Nikkei 225 8,775.51 -8.38 -0.10%
S&P/ASX 200 4,303.5 -26.17 -0.60%
Shanghai Composite 2,040.09 -19.05 -0.93%
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd., an operator of retail chains that gets 55 percent of its revenue in Europe, fell 0.2 percent in Hong Kong.
Westpac Banking Corp., Australia’s second-biggest lender by market value, slid 2.3 percent.
Agile Property Holdings Ltd. declined 5.7 percent in Hong Kong as its rating was cut at DBS Vickers after its chairman was arrested.