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Hong Kong - Asian markets mostly sank on Thursday, led by another huge sell-off in Tokyo, following a disappointing set of US data that fuelled fears about the world's top economy.
Traders took their lead from New York and Europe, where equities and the dollar sank, while oil prices were rooted at multi-year lows.
Tokyo plunged 2.22% to 14 738.38 as exporters were stunned by the stronger yen. Seoul fell 0.37% to 1 918.83 while Shanghai sank 0.72% to 2 356.50.
Hong Kong lost 1.03% to close at 22 900.94.
However, in Sydney dip-buying helped reverse initial losses, allowing the index to end 0.18% higher at 5 254.9.
The US Commerce Department said retail sales fell in September for the first time in seven months. Total retail and food services sales dropped 0.3% from August, slightly more than the 0.2% expected on average by analysts.
Also Wednesday the Labour Department said US producer prices fell last month for the first time since August 2013. Analysts had expected a rise.
The news led to fears that the US economy, which has been showing strong signs of recovery this year, may be feeling the effects of a torpid eurozone, a slowdown in China and stuttering Japanese growth.
The Dow fell 1.06% - although it had been more than two percent down earlier in the day - the S&P 500 shed 0.81% and the Nasdaq eased 0.28%.
In Europe London's FTSE 100 tumbled 2.83% to its lowest close since June 2013, while Frankfurt's DAX 30 lost 2.87% and the Paris CAC 40 sank 3.63%.
Wednesday's US figures also dampened any chance the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates from record lows any time soon, putting further downward pressure on the dollar.
Just two weeks ago the greenback was at multi-year highs against other currencies in anticipation that the Fed would move more quickly than other central banks to tighten monetary policy.
In afternoon Asian trade the dollar was at ¥106.06, up from ¥105.91 in New York but still sharply down from ¥107.33 in Tokyo earlier on Wednesday. At the start of the month it had broken ¥110 for the first time in six years.
The euro was also boosted against the dollar and ended at $1.2834 in New York. But in Asia Thursday it eased to $1.2774, although it was still much stronger than the $1.2702 in Tokyo on Wednesday.
The single currency was also at ¥135.50 against ¥135.94 in New York.
Oil prices extended their losses as investors fretted about weak demand caused by the downbeat economic outlook and the huge increase in supplies coming to the market.
Brent oil hit a fresh four-year low - tumbling to $83.34 in European trade, down 44 cents from Wednesday - while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for November delivery shed $1.45 to $80.33 per barrel.
Gold was at $1 241.90 an ounce at 13:40 against $1 233.25 late on Tuesday.
In other markets:
- Bangkok lost 1.37% to close at 1 526.15.
Oil giant PTT dropped 1.71% to 345.00 baht, while Siam Cement fell 0.92% to 430.00 baht.
- Jakarta ended down 0.23% at 4 951.61.
Bank Negara Indonesia gained 1.36% to 5 600 rupiah, while state miner Aneka Tambang slipped 1.00% to 990 rupiah.
- Kuala Lumpur dropped 1.07% to end at 1 767.77.
Fraser and Neave lost 4.62% to 15.68 ringgit, while Malaysia Airlines shed 1.96% to 0.25 ringgit. British American Tobacco edged up 1.86% to 66.72 ringgit.
- Manila rose 0.53% at 7 028.58.
Philippine Long Distance Telephone rose 2.8% to 3 160 pesos while Universal Robina was unchanged at 178 pesos. Ayala Land added 3.08% to 33.50 pesos.
- Mumbai fell 1.33% to 25 999.34.
Hindalco Industries lost 5.46% to 142.90 rupees, while ITC rose 1.48% to 352.70 rupees.
- Singapore closed 1.39% lower, shedding 44.51 points to close at 3 154.21.
Singapore Telecom fell 0.81% to Sg$3.67 and Asian publishing giant Singapore Press Holdings dipped 0.24% to Sg$4.16.
- Taipei slipped 0.25% to 8 633.69.
Smartphone maker HTC rose 2.72% to Tw$132.0 while Hon Hai fell 1.39% at Tw$92.2.
- Wellington fell 0.60% to 5 132.02.
Telecom giant Spark was down 0.35% at NZ$2.88 and Fletcher Building was off 1.61%- at NZ$8.55.
