Asian markets were trading in the negative zone today taking cues from overnight losses in the US as the rating agency Standard and Poor’s cut its credit outlook to negative. Also, investors remained concerned over geopolitical risks in the Arab world.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 104.94 points or 1.1 per cent to 9,451.71. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng plunged 305.51 points or 1.28 per cent to 23,524.80. Singapore’s Straits Times shed 26.77 points or 0.85 per cent to 3,117.61. South Korea’s Kospi was down 9.14 points or 0.43 per cent at 2,128.58.

Australia’s S&P/Asx 200 declined 61.6 points or 1.27 per cent to 4,800.30. China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 57.51 points or 1.88 per cent to 2,999.82. Taiwan’s Taiex fell 78.25 points or 0.9 per cent to 8,636.23.