home sales fell

Pending home sales in the U.S. unexpectedly fell 1.8% in September, the National Association of Realtors reported Friday. It was the statistic's first decline in three months, and one that suggests that the housing sector's recovery is likely to remain uneven through at least early 2011.

Shares in Asia were bearish Thursday with Japan's Nikkei sliding 2.6 percent. Leading the retreat, Nomura Holdings Inc. (NRSCF) plunged 16 percent – its biggest one-day loss in more than 30 years – costing the company 302.5 billion yen ($3.3 billion) in market value. Nomura remained...