Asian equities dropped sharply on Friday as
EU summit failed to ensure full support from the 27 region's countries on
tighter fiscal policy. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 2.5% and Shanghai
Composite index gave up 0.6%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index plunged 2.2%, Japan's
Nikkei Stock Average declined 1.6% and South Korea's Kospi edged down 1.7%.