Hong Kong Stocks Edge Down, Mainland Markets Up

Hong Kong stocks were slightly lower by the break after fluctuating through the morning following losses on Wall Street and as traders wind down for the long Easter weekend.

The Hang Seng Index eased 0.2 percent, to 29,972 by the break.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.6 percent to 3,140, while the Shenzhen Composite Index climbed 0.2 percent to 1,815.

Most Asian stocks extended their selling as a volatile week draws to an early close in many markets, while bubbling trade tensions and another painful day for Wall Street technology shares continued to feed uncertainty.

Traders in Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore and Wellington, among others, are also moving to close their positions before the end of the January-March quarter.

Sydney was 0.4 percent off, Seoul slipped 0.1 percent, while Wellington and Taipei also fell.

However, Tokyo ended the morning session 0.6 percent higher thanks to a drop in the yen against the US dollar. Singapore was up 0.8 percent. (AFP)

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