Asian stocks took a hit, with regional benchmark index falling from a five-months high, as investors everywhere await the release of the delayed U.S. payrolls data to gauge when the Federal Reserve will proceed with its stimulus-cutting plan.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.1 percent to 143.53 yesterday as nine out of ten industry groups on the measure retreated.

The Chinese Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP) dropped 0.7 percent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.5 percent. South Korea’s Kospi index and Taiwan’s Taiex also fell 0.1 percent each.