Global Stocks: U.S. and Asian stock indices declined

U.S. stock indices fell on Thursday with energy stocks leading declines amid lower commodity prices. Investors also eyed comments from Federal Reserve's officials, however they failed to clarify the timing of the first interest rate hike in nearly a decade.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 254.15 points, or 1.4%, to 17,448.07. The S&P 500 lost 29.03 points, or 1.4%, to 2,045.97. The Nasdaq Composite declined 61.94 points, or 1.2%, to 5,005.08.

The Congressional Budget Office reported on Thursday that the U.S. budget deficit rose last month. In twelve months through October the deficit rose to $454 billion or 2.4% of GDP compared to a deficit of $515 billion or 2.9% of GDP last year. The U.S. budged deficit has been at levels close to minimum since 2008.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng dropped 2.07%, or 473.05, to 22,415.87. China Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.16%, or 42.08, to 3.590.82. The Nikkei 225 lost 0.71%, or 140.79, to 19,556.98.

Asian indices fell. Stocks of Chinese energy companies led declines, while airlines stocks advanced.

Japanese stocks were influenced by comments from Fed officials, who said that they would be cautious when it comes to raising rates and they would analyze probable results of this step.

A stronger yen also weighed on stocks.