Asian shares open lower on concern for US recovery

Asian stock markets stumbled early Friday, falling after downbeat forecasts from retailers in the U.S. pulled shares down on Wall Street.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index led regional declines with a 1.5 percent fall to 9,784.76.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index slipped 0.3 percent to 20,667.75, and South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.5 percent to 1,731.95. Benchmarks in Australia, mainland China and Taiwan were also negative.

The broad declines followed a dour showing in New York, where lackluster news about the world's biggest economy pulled shares lower. Unemployment benefit claims failed to show hiring was increasing last week, durable good …