Asian stocks outside Japan fell as stronger growth in U.S. service industries fueled speculation the Federal Reserve will soon be able to reduce economic stimulus.

Nikkei 225 14,401.06 +143.02 +1.00%

Hang Seng 21,952.78 -269.23 -1.21%

S&P/ASX 200 5,105.6 -5.65 -0.11%

Shanghai Composite 2,060.5 +10.02 +0.49%

HSBC Holdings Plc  slumped 4.6 percent in Hong Kong after earnings at Europe’s biggest bank missed analysts’ estimates.

Sony Corp. sank 4.6 percent in Tokyo after its board rejected billionaire Daniel Loeb’s call to sell part of its entertainment business.

Fonterra Shareholders Fund climbed 1.3 percent in New Zealand, recouping some of yesterday’s record decline after Russia and China halted imports of milk powder from Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd., the world’s largest dairy exporter.