Hong Kong Shares End Morning With Losses

Hong Kong stocks headed into the break on a negative note on Thursday as profit-takers moved in following a seven-day win streak, though confidence remains high on the outlook for China-US trade talks.

The Hang Seng Index slipped 0.52 percent, or 155 points, to 29,831 by the break.

Elsewhere in Asia, Sydney was off 0.8 percent, Wellington dropped 0.6 percent and Manila fell 0.3 percent.

But Tokyo ended the morning 0.3 percent higher and Shanghai jumped more than one percent, while Singapore added 0.2 percent and Seoul gained 0.5 percent.

Regional investors were given a positive lead from Wall Street though the gains there were tempered by data showing private US firms hired new staff at their slowest pace for 18 months in March.

The below-forecast reading comes days before the release of key government figures, which are closely watched for an idea about the state of the US economy.

In London, Prime Minister Theresa May met opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday for crisis talks on resolving the Brexit crisis with just over a week to go before Britain is due to leave the European Union.

At the same time MPs voted by the narrowest margin for draft legislation that would force the government to seek to delay Brexit beyond the April 12 deadline.

The premier has already said she will seek a second "short" delay at an EU summit on April 10.

The developments supported the pound but parliament remains divided with hardliners fearing a "soft" divorce will leave Britain still linked to the bloc. (AFP)