Hong Kong Shares Slip, Asian Markets Muted

Hong Kong shares ended on Thursday with sharp losses, tracking a sell-off on Wall Street while energy firms were dragged by a drop in the price of oil.

The Hang Seng Index fell 1.3 percent, to close at 30,313.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.6 percent, to 3,100, and the Shenzhen Composite Index gained 1 percent, to 1,792.

Most other Asian markets struggled following a sell-off in New York as investors keep an eye on top-level talks between China and the United States on trade, while the greenback's latest rally lost a little steam.

Singapore shed 1.5 percent and Seoul eased 0.7 percent. Taipei was 1 percent off, while Manila and Jakarta each dived more than two percent.

However, Sydney added 0.8 percent while Wellington put on 0.6 percent.

The Japanese market was closed for a public holiday.

The US dollar dialled back slightly after rallying on Wednesday on the back of expectations the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates at least twice more this year. But the greenback is still at around three-month highs against the yen and near four-year highs against the pound. (AFP)