Japanese Shares Retreat as Yen Holds Gains Amid Ukraine Tensions

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Japan��s Topix index fell, poised for its fourth straight monthly loss, as the yen held gains against the dollar amid escalating tensions over Ukraine.

The Topix declined 0.8 percent to 1,160.65 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, with all 33 industry groups dropping. The measure is headed for a 3.5 percent loss this month, the biggest since January. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average slid 0.8 percent today to 14,310.16. The yen traded at 102.11 per dollar after three days of gains.

Futures on the Standard & Poor 500 Index were little changed today. The measure lost 0.8 percent on April 25 while the Nasdaq Composite Index posted its biggest decline in two weeks on concern earnings growth is too slow to justify valuations. Amazon.com Inc. tumbled after predicting an operating loss this quarter.

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Asian Stocks Decline for Third Day as Russia Faces New Sanctions

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Asian stocks fell for a third day, with the regional benchmark index heading for a two-week low, amid prospects Russia will be subject to new sanctions as tensions over Ukraine intensify.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index lost 0.3 percent to 137.73 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo. The gauge dropped 0.7 percent last week after preliminary Chinese manufacturing data signaled persisting weakness in the world��s second-largest economy. The U.S. and European Union will impose new sanctions on Russia as soon as today as the crisis in Ukraine escalates amid the detention of international observers by pro-Russian separatists.

Japan��s Topix index fell 0.9 percent. The nation��s retail sales rose 6.3 percent in March from February, beating analyst estimates. South Korea��s Kospi index declined 0.1 percent. Australia��s S&P/ASX 200 Index slipped 0.1 percent, while New Zealand��s NZX 50 Index lost 0.4 percent as both markets resume trading following a long weekend. Markets in China and Hong Kong have yet to open.

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Nasdaq Leads U.S. Stocks Lower as Amazon Results Trigger Selloff

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Concern earnings growth is too slow to justify U.S. equity valuations sent the Nasdaq Composite Index to its biggest decline in two weeks.

Amazon.com Inc. dropped 9.9 percent after predicting an operating loss in the current quarter, contributing to a 1.8 percent decline in the Nasdaq Composite. Broadcom Corp. lost 4.4 percent to pace declines among technology shares. Visa sank 5 percent after revenue missed analyst targets. Ford Motor Co. slipped 3.3 percent after posting earnings that trailed analysts�� estimates.

The Standard & Poor��s 500 Index dropped 0.8 percent to 1,863.52 at 4 p.m. in New York, leaving it down 0.1 percent for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 139.26 points, or 0.8 percent, to 16,362.39. Visa is the biggest member of the Dow. The Russell 2000 Index of smaller companies sank 1.9 percent, erasing gains for the week.

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U.S. Stocks Drop Amid Corporate Earnings as Kerry Warns Russia

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U.S. stocks declined, with the Standard & Poor 500 Index erasing a weekly gain, as results from Amazon.com Inc. to Visa Inc. disappointed and tension escalated over Ukraine.

Amazon.com dropped 8.9 percent after predicting an operating loss in the current quarter. Visa sank 3.9 percent after revenue missed analyst targets. Ford Motor Co. slipped 3.1 percent after posting earnings that trailed analysts�� estimates. Microsoft Corp. climbed 0.7 percent as profit exceeded projections.

The S&P 500 dropped 0.7 percent to 1,865.77 at 12:56 p.m. in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 127.96 points, or 0.8 percent, to 16,373.69. Visa is the biggest member of the Dow. Trading in S&P 500 stocks was 2.7 percent above the 30-day average at this time of day.

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European Stocks Decline Amid Earnings Shortfalls

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European stocks fell, trimming their fifth weekly gain in six weeks, as companies from Neste Oil (NES1V) Oyj to Sandvik AB posted quarterly earnings that missed estimates and tensions escalated between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine.

Neste Oil slid 5.1 percent after also lowering its 2014 profit forecast. Sandvik lost 3 percent. Deutsche Bank AG declined 2 percent after a report that it may announce a capital increase. Electrolux AB rallied the most in five years after posting earnings that beat estimates and increasing its forecast for European demand growth. Meda AB jumped to a record after the Financial Times said Mylan Inc. raised its offer for the Swedish drugmaker.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slipped 0.8 percent to 333.5 at the close of trading. The gauge posted a weekly advance of 0.3 percent amid increased mergers-and-acquisitions activity.

National benchmark indexes declined in all 18 markets in western Europe except Norway. The U.K.��s FTSE 100 dropped 0.3 percent, and Germany��s DAX (DAX) lost 1.5 percent. France��s CAC 40 retreated 0.8 percent.

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