Asian Stocks Fall as China Manufacturing Misses Estimates

Asian stocks fell amid low trading volumes after a private gauge signaled Chinese manufacturing contracted for a fourth month, missing analysts’ estimates and raising concern the economy’s slowdown is deepening.

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. sank 4.6 percent, leading energy companies lower in Hong Kong. Westpac Banking Corp., Australia’s second-biggest lender by market value, slid 1.2 percent even as first-half cash profit grew. HTC Corp. soared 7 percent in Taipei as investors awaited a conference call on which the smartphone maker is expected to give a forecast for second-quarter profit.