GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks Slide on Flare-Up Of Hostilities

GLOBAL MARKET - SINGAPORE. Asian stocks fell at the start of trading on Thursday as renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran rattled stocks, even as conflicting signs of de-escalation left investors hesitant.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.8%, while S&P 500 e-mini futures slipped 0.4%. Korean shares reopened down 2% after a holiday, while Japan's Nikkei 225 slumped 1.3%.