Asian markets mostly fell on Monday following a rout on Wall Street in response to disappointing US growth data, while two closely watched gauges indicated Chinese manufacturing activity contracted in January.
Oil prices plunged again after enjoying a strong rally on Friday, while the euro ticked up, despite falling eurozone prices and ongoing concerns about Greece's bailout face-off with its international creditors.
Tokyo slipped 0.54 percent by lunch, Hong Kong lost 0.66 percent, Shanghai was 2.00 percent lower and Seoul shed 0.10 percent -- but Sydney added 0.88 percent.
The week got off to a poor start after the Commerce Department said Friday that the US economy expended at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter, well below the 5.0 percent in the previous three months.
Adding to selling pressure was news that prices in the eurozone fell by a record 0.6 percent in January, fanning concerns that the currency bloc is facing years of deflation.
The Dow sank 1.45 percent, the S&P 500 lost 1.30 percent and the Nasdaq fell 1.03 percent.
Traders were also reacting Monday to news that China's official purchasing managers index (PMI) of manufacturing actvity unexpectedly retreated last month for the first time since late 2012.
Data Sunday showed its PMI at 49.8 last month, against 50.1 in December. Anything below 50 points to contraction and anything above indicates growth.
On Monday HSBC said its January PMI was 49.7, a tad up from 49.6 in December but still showing shrinkage.
The results are the latest to highlight the weakness of China's economy, which in 2014 grew at its slowest pace in 24 years. However, it will fan talk of further monetary easing measures.
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