Asian stocks dropped for the first time in six days as resource companies retreated after metals prices slid overnight and an official report showed China's services industry expanded at a slower pace.

Nikkei 225 14,055.56 -43.18 -0.31%

Hang Seng 20,197.19 -461.46 -2.23%

S&P/ASX 200 4,744.13 -89.88 -1.86%

Shanghai Composite 1,994.27 -12.29 -0.61%

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's largest mining company, sank 3.2 percent.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. led declines on the Asia-Pacific equity benchmark after the Japanese utility soared 19 percent yesterday.

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. gained 1.5 percent on its debut in Tokyo after raising almost $4 billion in Asia's largest public offering this year.