BANGKOK: Asian stock markets fell Tuesday, rattled by a political impasse in Greece that could lead the debt-stricken country to a disorderly and destabilizing exit from the euro currency union.
Greece has been unable to form a coalition government since voters gave support to political parties that want to cancel or renegotiate the terms of a massive financial bailout by international lenders that requires harsh austerity measures.
If Greece walks away from its debts, an exit from the euro currency zone would be likely, and the effects would ripple throughout the rest of Europe and its struggling economies.
"The Eurozone debt crisis continues to dominate the headlines. The exit of Greece from the single currency has become probable; not so long ago it was impossible," analysts at DBS Bank Ltd. in Singapore said in an email.
Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 1.1% to 8,876.16. South Korea's Kospi index tumbled 1.4% to 1,888.16. Benchmarks in Australia, Taiwan and Indonesia also fell.
Chinese shares were lower amid fears of a slowdown in the world's No. 2 economy. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.1% to 19,710.68 and the mainland's Shanghai Composite Index was 0.5% lower at 2,370.24.
Problems in Europe were compounded by the loss in a state election for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party and — by extension — her austerity policies. The release later Tuesday of data expected to show the eurozone in recession also caused jitters.
The ongoing political stalemate in Greece drove U.S. stocks lower. The Dow Jones industrial average closed down 1% at 12,695.35. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 1.1% to 1,338.35. The Nasdaq composite average dropped 1.1% to 2,902.58.
Benchmark oil for June delivery was down 45 cents to US$94.33 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell US$1.35 to settle at US$94.78 in New York on Friday.
In currencies, the euro fell to US$1.2829 from US$1.2847 late Monday in New York. The dollar fell to 79.82 yen from 79.86 yen. (AP/aph)
READ ALSO:
Moody's downgrades ratings of 26 Italian banks
Pertamina optimistic to reach oil production target of 30,000 bpd
MARKET MOVING: Investment on heavy equipment reaches US$300 million
What is in the shopping list today?
Euro minsters plead with Greece to stay the course
MARKET MOVING: Export duty may reduce Antam’s earnings
Showing 0 - 0 of 0 comments