Hong Kong Stocks Fall As Asian Markets Retreat

Hong Kong stocks joined the Asian market retreat following Wall Street's lead, after major companies reported mixed earnings, and investors await developments in trade negotiations between China and the United States.

The Hang Seng Index dropped 0.8 percent, to 26,566.

Mainland social media and gaming giant Tencent fell over 2 percent after the central government announced plans to impose tougher restrictions on underage gamers. China Mobile shed 1 percent.

Shares in market debutant Snack Empire, a Singapore-based food and beverage group, ended the day 6 percent lower than its listing price.

Across the border, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.4 percent, while Shenzhen was down over 0.7 percent.

Elsewhere in Asia, Tokyo ended 0.34 percent higher as the yen stabilised against the US dollar.

It was the highest close in the last 12 months for the Nikkei, though many investors are still in a wait-and-see mode as Japanese businesses start issuing their quarterly earnings.

Singapore fell over half a percent, Seoul lost almost 0.4 percent and Taiwan also shed around 0.3 percent.

In currencies, the pound extended losses after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed to push through his Brexit deal.

In the local market, the pound was worth HK$10.07.