Nikkei: 8,784.46 (–166.28) Hang Seng: 19,616.40 (–596.51) Shanghai Comp: 2,478.74 (–49.54):ASIAN SHARES sank yesterday, as a disappointing US job report fuelled concerns about the severity of the global slowdown, pounding exporters, technology shares and commodity producers.

Stocks with the most exposure to the US were hardest hit after jobs figures released on Friday confirmed recent data suggesting that US growth had stalled.

Technology exporters slid with Samsung, the South Korean chip and consumer electronics group, down 4.9 per cent to Won731,000. Rival LG Electronics slid 4.9 per cent to Won60,000.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 Average fell 1.9 per cent, hit by losses for exporters on the continuing strength of the yen.

Toyota Motors, which gets a quarter of its revenues in North American markets, fell 2.6 per cent to ¥2,640 while car maker Honda, whose biggest single market is the US, fell 4.7 per cent to ¥2,389.

Financial stocks were among the worst performers, with Nomura Holdings down 4.6 per cent to ¥308.

In Australia, Woodside Petroleum lost 3.1 per cent to A$33.85. – (Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2011)