Asian stock indices declined ahead of the U.S. labour market data. Reaction from Asian markets to the stimulus measures by the European Central Bank was more muted than in Europe and in the U.S.

Japan’s leading economic index declined to 106.6 in April from 107.1 in March, but exceeding expectations for a decline to 106.2.

Japan’s coincident index slid to 111.1 in April from 114.5 in March.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225                         15,077.24                 -2.13            -0.01%

Hang Seng                        22,951.00             -158.66            -0.69%

Shanghai Composite           2,029.96                -10.92            -0.54%

Sumco Corp., silicon wafer maker, gained 11% after a report the company’s plants are near at full capacity.

Prada SpA dropped 6.9% in Hong Kong after the company’s profit missed analysts’ forecasts.