Hong Kong Stocks End With Losses

Hong Kong shares ended slightly lower on Tuesday after a four-day rally, with profit-taking offsetting fresh hopes for China-US trade talks.

The Hang Seng Index slipped 0.2 percent, or 60 points, to 26,231.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.1 percent, or 3 points, to 2,880 but the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, edged up 0.1 percent, or 2 points, to 1,574.

Elsewhere, most Asian markets rose on the back of hopes for central bank and government stimulus measures around the world, while investors were also cheered by further signs of easing tensions in the China-US trade war.

A report in The Washington Post said top officials are considering measures to head off a US downturn, including temporarily cutting the payroll tax to increase workers' monthly take-home pay.

Another move being looked at is reversing new tariffs imposed on Chinese goods, The New York Times reported.

Tokyo ended up 0.6 percent, while Sydney and Soeul gained over 1 percent. (AFP)