Asian Markets Fall After Weak US Jobs Report

HONG KONG (AP) -- Asian stock markets fell Monday after a worse-than-expected U.S. jobs report raised concerns a strong recovery in the world's largest economy is still far off.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average lost 0.6 percent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 0.2 percent.

In South Korea, the Kospi dropped nearly 2 percent. India's benchmark fell 0.8 percent, Australia's index was down 0.3 percent and Singapore's benchmark fell 1 percent.

Wall Street is coming off a two-week losing streak.

Stocks posted modest losses Friday after a disappointing monthly jobs report brought fresh concerns that a recovery in the troubled labor market may be a long way off. For the week, the Dow dropped another 177 points on the heels of a 203-point tumble the week before.

The Dow begins this week at 9,488, after losing 22 points Friday. The Nasdaq stands at 2,048 after a 9-point loss. The S&P is at 1,025, having dropped 5 points Friday.

U.S. futures hint Wall Street is in store for more losses.

Oil prices wallowed below $70, with benchmark crude for November delivery down 5 cents at $69.90. The contract fell 87 cents to settle at $69.95 on Friday.

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