Asian markets lower, U.S futures down

HONG KONG - Signs are pointing to another drop when stock markets in the U.S open this morning.

Asian markets have fallen again today and European markets were lower in early trading.

China's benchmark index plummeted 7.2 percent to its lowest point in six months on concerns that a recession in the U.S. would mean less demand for Chinese-made products.

Japan's Nikkei sank about 4 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down more than 4 percent.

Declines were more modest in India, where the Sensex index dropped 4 percent in the first 10 minutes of trading, then came back a bit. It was down about 1 percent at the close.