HK Shares Up, But Trade War Fear Resurfaces

Hong Kong shares ended the morning session slightly higher on Thursday as lingering worries over China-US trade and Donald Trump's planned summit with Kim Jong-un offset a less hawkish tone from the Federal Reserve on interest rates.

The Hang Seng Index edged up 0.1 percent, to 30,686.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index slumped 0.1 percent, to 3,166, while the Shenzhen Composite Index was flat at 1,834.

Other Asian markets were mixed. Japan's Nikkei was the biggest loser, shedding more than 1 percent in the morning session as the yen surged against the US dollar to its highest level in nine days.

Singapore added 0.3 percent but Seoul shed 0.3 percent and Sydney lost 0.2 percent.

Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta were all up and Manila was flat.

Regional auto giants were sharply lower after the US Commerce Department said it had launched a probe that could allow Washington to impose tariffs on auto imports over national security concerns.

Japanese giant Toyota plunged 2.7 percent and Nissan fell 1.8 percent in Tokyo, while Kia dived 3.9 percent in Seoul. (AFP)

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