Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index paring its weekly advance, as speculation the Federal Reserve will reduce stimulus in coming months overshadowed improving China manufacturing data.

Nikkei 225 14,201.57 -126.37 -0.88%

S&P/ASX 200 5,411.12 -14.37 -0.26%

Shanghai Composite 2,149.56 +7.95 +0.37%

Sony Corp. slumped the most in five years in Tokyo after the television and digital camera maker unexpectedly lowered its full-year profit forecast by 40 percent.

Sydney Airport sank 3.6 percent after its largest shareholder Macquarie Group Ltd. announced plans to give some of its stake to its investors.

Panasonic Corp. surged 6.2 percent, a fifth day of gains, after doubling its full-year profit forecast.