Asian markets drop on lower commodity prices

Asian markets slipped on the back of lower commodity prices.

The Hang Seng plunged 489 points (2%) to 20,135. The Nikkei added 26 points to 10,113.

The Shanghai Composite dropped 172 points (5%) to 3,266.

The Straits Times slipped 18 points to 2,605 and the Taiwan Weighted Index shed 59 points to 7,084.

The Seoul Composite was flat at 1,524.
__________________________________________________________

(Updated at 1127hrs)

Asian markets are mostly in the negative zone except for Nikkei, which is up 24 points to 10,112.

The Hang Seng has declined 335 points (1.63%) to 20,289.

The Shanghai has Composite slipped 89 points to 3,348.

The Straits Times and the Taiwan Weighted have decreased 13 points and 59 points to 2,610 and 7,083, respectively.

The Seoul Composite is flat at 1,524.