Asian Markets Fall Amid Rippling Wall Street Worries

Tokyo, Japan (AHN) - Wall Street worries about the strength of financial institutions sent a similar ripple through Asian markets, pushing key regions lower Tuesday.

In Japan, the Nikkeo 225 fell to 12,656 before recovering somewhat to close down 0.8 percent at 12,778. Among stocks affected was Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, which dropped 1.5 percent.

In China, analysts pointed to continued uncertainty as why the Shanghai Composite fell 2.6 percent to 2,350. Despite the drop, energy and insurance stocks rose on word of planned acquisitions and better-than-expected results.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 0.2 percent to 21,056.

Elsewhere in Asia, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.2 percent to 5,007 as miner Rio Tinto gained 1.4 percent, boosted by increasing commodity and profit that more than doubled.

Exporters fell Tuesday amid a stronger currency. The U.S. dollar, trading for 109.63 yen Tuesday versus 110.03 yen Monday.