Hong Kong Slips Ahead Of Key Fed Meeting

Hong Kong stocks shares ended down on Wednesday as profit-takers chased the market's healthy gains made before a one-day public holiday.

The Hang Seng Index slipped 0.3 percent, to close at 30,723.

On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was marginally lower, inching down just over a point, to 3,081. The Shenzhen Composite Index eased 0.1 percent, to 1,774.

The Nikkei in Tokyo ended 0.2 percent lower and Singapore were marginally down, while Taipei, Manila, Bangkok and Jakarta fell.

However, Sydney rose 0.6 percent and Wellington climbed 0.7 percent.

As trading floors reopened after the Labour Day break, attention was on the Fed's policy decision later in the day which could give clues about future rate hikes.

The greenback is testing the 110 yen mark for the first time since the start of February while it has also surged against the pound as the Bank of England puts its own plans for a rate hike on the back-burner.

It is also building on gains against higher-yielding currencies including the Australian dollar, Indonesian rupiah, Mexican peso and Thai baht. The South Korean won was also in retreat after enjoying a rally on the back of Friday's North-South Korea summit. (AFP)