Asian stocks sink as rate uncertainty sparks broad sell-off

Asian shares extended a global sell-off on Friday after US jobs data offered little clarity on the outlook for interest rates, prompting investors to retreat from risk assets.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 535 points, or nearly 2.1 percent, to 25,300 by the midday break, with turnover at HK$150.5 billion. The Hang Seng Tech Index slid 3.11 percent to 5,401, with all constituents lower. JD Health (6618) was the worst performer, dropping 7.21 percent to HK$63.10.

In Chinese mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.88 percent to 3,857 at midday, while the Shenzhen Composite Index dropped 2.72 percent to 12,627.

South Korea’s Kospi at one point tumbled 4.2 percent, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid more than 2 percent.