Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index heading to a five-month low, after U.S. jobs and factory data missed estimates and investors speculated whether the Federal Reserve will scale back bond purchases.

Nikkei 225 12,904.02 -110.85 -0.85%

S&P/ASX 200 4,781.2 -54.01 -1.12%

Shanghai Composite 2,242.9 -28.03 -1.23%

Techtronic Industries Co., a maker of power tools that gets 73 percent of its sales in North America, dropped 3.7 percent in Hong Kong.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. tumbled 7.4 percent, leading utilities lower.

Newcrest Mining Ltd., the worst performer of Australia's 20 largest companies this year, fell 6.9 percent after Credit Suisse Group AG cut its rating amid concern it will lower output and halt expansion.

Rinnai Corp., a manufacturer of gas appliances, slumped 7.9 percent in Tokyo on a share-sale plan.