Asia stocks track U.S. lower; yen slaps Japan
Asian stock markets trade broadly lower after overnight losses in
the U.S. on monetary-policy concerns, with Japan taking an especially
heavy hit from gains for the yen. 23:55
Hong Kong stocks track U.S. lower, but Shanghai up
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Hong Kong stocks opened lower
Wednesday after overnight losses on Wall Street, with energy shares a
weak spot after crude-oil futures lost 1.2% during regular trade in New
York. The Hang Seng Index gave up 0.4% to sit at 21,844.04 in early
moves, while the mainland-China-tracking Hang Seng China Enterprises
Index lost 0.6%, but the Shanghai Composite undid opening losses to
rise 0.2%. Among the energy majors, Cnooc Ltd. and PetroChina Co.
each lost 1.3%, while China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. -- better
known as Sinopec -- slid 1.4% in Hong Kong. Over in Shanghai, declines
for PetroChina and Sinopec were milder, at 0.3% and 0.5%,
respectively. Hong Kong-listed casino shares were mixed, with Wynn Macau
Ltd. up 1.4%, but MGM China Holdings Ltd. dropping 3.1% after posting
a quarterly loss. Among the Hong Kong gainers, Standard Chartered PLC
advanced 0.9% despite posting lower profit, as the smaller earnings were
due to a writedown on its Korean operations. On the Chinese mainland,
real-estate majors drove gains after China Vanke Co. reported a 22%
rise in its first-half profit. Shares of Vanke rose 1.7% in Shenzhen,
while Poly Real Estate Group Co. jumped 4.1% and Gemdale Corp. climbed
3.8% in Shanghai.
9:49 p.m. Today