Asian indices open negative

Asian markets opened negative on Friday, October 3, on rising concerns over the U.S. economy.

Toyota Motor Corp., the world`s second-largest automaker, lost 4.6% after U.S. factory orders dropped the most in two years in August. Rio Tinto Group, the world`s third-largest mining company, declined 4.7% as commodity prices tumbled.

Japanese benchmark index Nikkei fell 157.78 points, or 1.41%, to trade at 10,996.98.

Hong Kong`s Hang Seng index tanked 392.81 points, or 2.16%, to trade at 17,818.30.

Taiwan`s Taiex index fell 96.14 points, or 1.69%, to trade at 5,607.58.

South Korea`s Kospi index fell 20.02 points, or 1.39%, to trade at 1,419.65.

Singapore`s Straits Times lost 44.37 points, or 1.88%, to trade at 2,319.23. (7.55 a.m., IST)