Asian stock markets sink as Fed fears take hold

TOKYO, Japan - Stocks in Asia continued sliding Thursday, extending losses related to the U.S. Federal Reserve's aspirations to stamp out inflation by aggressively hiking interest rates.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dropped 152.29 points or 0.56 percent to 27,160.54.

New Zealand's S&P/NZX 50 went against the trend, adding 19.37 points or 0.17 percent to 11,518.32.

In South Korea, the Kospi Composite slid