HSI Soars Ahead Of Key Central Bank Meetings

Hong Kong stocks ended the morning session sharply higher on Wednesday on hopes for fresh monetary easing measures by the European and US central bank, while dealers are also optimistic about China-US trade talks.

The Hang Seng Index jumped 1.4 percent, to 27,044 by the break.

Across the border, the Shanghai Composite Index was flat at 3,021 while the Shenzhen Composite Index lost 0.3 percent to 1,683.

Tokyo finished the morning 0.6 percent higher and Singapore put on 0.4 percent. Seoul rose 0.5 percent, Sydney and Taipei each added 0.2 percent, while Manila and Jakarta posted gains.

However Wellington tumbled more than 1 percent as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's government was rocked by its handling of sexual assault allegations against a top Labour Party staffer.

Companies linked to Apple enjoyed healthy buying after the US tech giant unveiled new iPhones, including a lower-priced offering, and set launch dates for its original video offering as well as its game subscription service.

In Tokyo, Alps Alpine surged three percent, Japan Display put on nearly three percent and Sharp rallied more than four percent, while LG Display in Seoul was up two percent in Seoul. Taipei-listed Foxconn rose 0.2 percent.

On forex markets the pound held its recent gains as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was pushing to strike a divorce agreement with the European Union, having lost a series of key votes to MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit. (AFP)

______________________________