Asian stocks slip

Asian shares fell on Tuesday as a stronger dollar fueled a further selloff in commodities. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down about 0.8 per cent on the day, and off less than 1 per cent for the year. Japan's Nikkei stock average shed 1.6 per cent on its final day of 2014 trading, but still gained 7.1 per cent this year. China stocks also slipped today. The CSI300 index was flat at 3,454.23 points at the end of the morning session, while the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.4 per cent, to 3,155.28 points. The Hang Seng index dropped 0.9 per cent, to 23,551.23 points. The Hong Kong China Enterprises Index lost 1.3 per cent, to 11,863.15. Dollar slipped about 0.3 per cent to 120.31 yen. Copper edged down about 0.1 per cent to $6,280.25 a tonne. Brent crude dropped 1 per cent to $57.30 after hitting 5-1/2-year low. Japanese markets will be shut from Wednesday to Friday, reopening next Monday. Chinese stock markets will close Jan. 1-2 and reopen Jan. 5. Hong Kong markets will be open Jan. 2, according to Reuters.