Asian stocks open in red; Nikkei tumbles 2.47%

Asian stocks fell as the dollar weakened and New Zealand retail sales unexpectedly fell.

Honda Motor retreated more than 2.5% in Tokyo on concern the yen`s appreciation will lower the value of overseas revenue. Santos sank 3% as commodity prices declined.

Japanese benchmark index Nikkei 225 fell 257.70 points, or 2.47%, to trade at 10,186.63.

Hong Kong`s Hang Seng index declined 291.66 points, or 1.38%, to trade at 20,869.76.

China`s Shanghai Composite increased 8.11 points, or 0.27% to trade at 2,997.90.

Taiwan`s Taiex index dropped 45.90 points, or 0.63%, to trade at 7,291.24.

South Korea`s Kospi index fell 11.19 points, or 0.68% to trade at 1,640.51.

Singapore`s Straits Times lost 36.31 points, or 1.35%, to trade at 2,644.72. (7.59 a.m., IST)