Date: Tuesday 01 Jun 2010
China’s Purchasing Managers’ index fell to 53.9 in May from a reading of 55.7 in April, data from the Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said.
Meanwhile concern about Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s future also weighed on sentiment after polls showed his approval rate had fallen sharply.
The stronger yen hurt demand for exporters such as Toyota, down 0.8% in Tokyo while Sony was off 1.5%. Fast Retailing, owner of the Uniqlo clothing line, fell 0.6%.
Defensives such as The Tokyo Electric surged 4.25%.
The Nikkei 225 index closed down 56 points at 9,712 in Tokyo.
The Hang Seng fell 1.36% after data showed Chinese manufacturing had grown less than expected.
Shares in metal giant Jiangxi Copper fell 1.3% in Hong Kong on fears that demand for its products will decline. Aluminium Corp tumbled 3%.
Elsewhere real estate fell sharply on concern about slower growth in China. Shares in China Overseas Land dropped 2.9%.
Retailer Esprit fell 3.4% on persistent fears about the consumer outlook in Europe.
The Hang Seng fell 268 points to 19,497 in Hong Kong.
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