Asian equity markets take a dive on China data

The Shanghai Composite index was 1.79% lower at 2,045, while the Hang Seng shed 0.61% to trade at 22,678. The MSCI Asia fell 0.8% to 139 while, in Japan, the Nikkei fell 2.35% to 15,908. The shares were driven lower by indications Chinese growth may be slowing down, after a measure of the country's services sector showed falling output. A private purchasing managers’ index of China’s services industry released today by HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics fell to 50.9 last month from 52.5 in November. A number above 50 indicates expansion. European stock markets are expected t...