Asian indices in declining mode

Following losses on the Wall Street, the Asian markets are in declining mode in early trades today.

The Nikkei has shed 1.5% (218 points) to 14,918. The Hang Seng has slipped 0.7% (114 points) to 15,713.

The Seoul Composite index plunged 2% to 1214. The All Ordinaries, Straits Times and Taiwan Weighted indices declined around 1% each at 4925, 2340 and 6408, respectively.