Asian shares extended losses on Monday as weak Chinese imports increased concerns over a slowdown in the world's second largest economy, while the dollar was steady after U.S. jobs data raised chances for a U.S. interest rate hike as early as September, Reuters reported. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.4 percent, while Japan's Nikkei stock index recovered from early lows but still ended down slightly. China's exports fell less than expected last month, but imports tumbled at a greater pace, stoking concerns over a the economy's slowdown giving Beijing more reason to take further stimulus steps. China's exports in May fell 2.5 percent from a year earlier in dollar-denominated terms, better than market expectations, while imports tumbled 17.6 percent. The 10-year Treasury yield stood at 2.398 percent in Asian trade, compared to its U.S. close of 2.400 on Friday. The higher yields helped power the dollar to a 13-year peak of 125.86 yen on Friday. It was last down about 0.1 percent on the day at 125.54 yen. An index measuring the dollar against a basket of six major rivals edged up about 0.1 percent to 96.424. The greenback gained on the euro, which remained pressured by Greece's ongoing struggle to solve its debt crisis. The euro bought $1.1103, down about 0.1 percent on the day. Brent crude futures slipped about 0.5 percent to $62.95 a barrel, after skidding 3.6 percent last week. U.S. crude fell 0.8 percent to $58.68 after giving up 2 percent last week.
