Asian markets slump after US debt warning

BANGKOK - Standard & Poor's warning that it could downgrade the United States' credit rating sent Asian stock markets tumbling on Tuesday.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index slid 1.1 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 1.3 percent. South Korea's Kospi gave up 0.4 percent. Benchmarks in mainland China, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines also lost ground.

Meanwhile, on Wall Street, ahead of the opening bell Tuesday, Dow futures are up 22 points, or 0.2 percent, at 12,162. S&P 500 futures are up 2 points, or 0.2 percent, at 1,303. Nasdaq 100 futures are up 3, or 0.1 percent, at 2,293.

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