Asian stocks outside Japan fell, with the equity gauge heading for its first drop in eight days, as signs the U.S. economy is strengthening fueled speculation that the Federal Reserve will soon start tapering stimulus.

Nikkei 225 15,749.66 +94.59 +0.60%

S&P/ASX 200 5,256.07 -23.44 -0.44%

Shanghai Composite 2,222.67 +15.30 +0.69%

Newcrest Mining Ltd., Australia’s biggest gold producer, sank 6.7 percent as the bullion’s price traded near a five-month low.

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s No. 1 carmaker, lost 4.2 percent as November sales fell.

Sekisui Chemical Co. led Japanese stocks higher, rising 7.5 percent after a report that it developed a cheaper and longer-lasting material for lithium-ion batteries used in the electric vehicles.