Hong Kong Stocks Extend Gains, Shanghai Slips

Hong Kong shares went into the break on Wednesday higher, extending the previous day's recovery from last week's heavy sharp losses.

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.8 percent, to 30,068, having surged more than 1 percent on Tuesday.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Comosite Index was down 0.3 percent while the Shenzhen Composite index was down 0.2 percent, to 1,727.

Tokyo, which ended on Tuesday at a four-month low, fell again with investors unimpressed by data showing Japan's economy grew at a weaker-than-expected rate in the last quarter of 2017 and slowed from the previous three months.

The Nikkei ended the morning 0.6 percent down, with a stronger yen hitting exporters and dealers brushing off the fact the economy had enjoyed an eight-quarter run of gains, its longest period of growth since the late 1980s.

Sydney lost 0.4 percent and Singapore was off 0.1 percent. Wellington and Manila also skidded. (AFP)

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