Asian markets slip in early trade

Asian markets were trading weak in the morning session ahead of US jobs report data. Economists expect US non-farm payrolls data to deccelerate in May causing the Wall Street indices to end on a soft note overnight.

Metal and oil & gas related shares were leading the losses across Asia. Japan's Nikkei stock average was down 0.2% dragged by exporters due to strengthening Yen.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.5% hit by Chinese banking shares on concerns of monetary tightening in China over the weekend. China's Shanghai Composite index also declined 0.5%.

Other Asian markets were also weak. South Korea's Kospi Composite dipped 1.9%, Singapore's Strait Times fell 0.04% and Taiwan's weighted index edged lower by 0.2%.