CapitaLand, Singapore's biggest property developer, said it would delay investments until the global credit crunch eases, while Hong Kong's Hutchison Whampoa, the port-to-telecoms conglomerate controlled by tycoon Li Ka-shing, has put a freeze on new spending it has not already committed to until June.

“There is a company-wide halt on uncommitted spending until June next year; all investments require a new look,” wrote Citigroup analyst Anil Daswani, citing an investor presentation by Frank Sixt, Hutchison's finance director.

Asian companies have warned in recent days that they will not be immune from the weakening global economy and stock market crash. Sony said last week that it would cut capital expenditure after the Japanese consumer electronics giant slashed its operating profit forecast by 57 per cent.