Asian stocks down as Europe debt crisis festers

BANGKOK — Asian markets fell Thursday after reports emerged of an impasse among European leaders who are trying to resolve the continent’s debt crisis.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 0.9 percent to 8,692.57. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1.7 percent to 17,997.72. South Korea’s Kospi lost 0.1 percent to 1,853.57.

Late Wednesday, reports that French and German leaders remain at odds over a solution to the European debt crisis sent Wall Street lower.

The Dow closed at 11,504.62, a loss of 0.6 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 1.3 percent to 1,209.88.

A rare earnings miss by Apple pulled down technology stocks. Apple Inc. slumped 5.6 percent after the company’s income and revenue fell short of forecasts. That sent the Nasdaq composite sliding to close down 2 percent to 2,604.04.

European leaders reportedly are locked in a disagreement over the size of losses banks should take on Greek debt they own. The Greek government appears likely to default after French and German banks lent it billions.

Benchmark crude for November delivery was down 16 cents at $85.95 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell $2.24 to settle at $86.29 in New York on Wednesday.