Asian stocks fall, but losses are limited on easing recovery worries

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Asian stocks down, but recovery worries are easing

TOKYO — Asian stock markets fell in early trading Tuesday but losses were limited on easing worries over the pace of the global economic recovery.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index declined 50.19 points, or 0.5 percent, to 9,251.13. South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.76 points to 1,791.66. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.1 percent at 4,613.10.

Investors also traded with caution, waiting to see how U.S. markets will react to President Barack Obama’s new jobs program announced Monday. Obama rolled out the program that would exceed $50 billion to rebuild roads, railways and runways.

The U.S. financial markets were closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

Asian and European stock markets ended higher Monday after better-than-expected U.S. jobs data Friday helped ease fears that the global economy could slip back into recession.