Asian stocks fall as overseas investors cut exposure to China

Asian markets fell overnight after data was released showing foreign investment into China slowed for a fifth month in a row.

China received $11.76bn as foreign direct investment in March, 6.1% lower than March 2011, the commerce ministry said. The fall, the fifth consecutive month it has declined, raises further concerns over China's slowing economic growth and expectations of a hard-landing in the region. It also spooked markets in Asia, with the Nikkei 225 closing down 0.6% at 9,464.7 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index weakened by 0.7% to end at 20,407.7. US markets were mixed overnight. The Dow Jones gained 0.56% to 12,921, while the S&P 500 edged down 0.05% to 1,369. Meanwhile in Europe yes...