Hong Kong Stocks Flat, Oil Market Jitters Continue

"); jQuery("#212 h3").html("

Related News Programmes

"); });

2019-09-20 HKT 10:24

Share this story

facebook

  • HSI was more or less flat after the first session on Friday. File photo: RTHK

    HSI was more or less flat after the first session on Friday. File photo: RTHK

Shares in Hong Kong ended the morning session on Friday with minor gains following a four-day sell-off, with investors watching for developments in the China-US trade row.

The Hang Seng Index inched up just over eight points, to 26,477 by the break.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.2 percent, to 3,004 while the Shenzhen market index was up 0.1 percent, to 1,674 at noon break.

Tokyo went into the break 0.4 percent higher. Sydney gained 0.7 percent as investors grow optimistic the Australian central bank will cut interest rates again at its next policy meeting.

Seoul and Taipei added 0.2 percent. Singapore edged up 0.1 percent and Wellington put on 0.4 percent.

In the oil market, traders remained on edge. Both main contracts stabilised this week after the initial shock of drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities but there are worries of a possible conflict after the US pointed the finger at Iran.

Adding to concerns, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned on Thursday that any military strike on the country could lead to "all-out war".

"It is hard to see oil markets wanting to sell crude heavily ahead of the weekend and the event risk that entails," said Jeffrey Halley, senior markets analyst at Oanda.

"In fact, that would be a very dangerous game as the threat of more attacks from Iran or its proxies have, if anything, increased, not decreased given the enfeebled global response this week." (AFP)

______________________________



Last updated: 2019-09-20 HKT 12:46

RECENT NEWS

US Stocks Rise On Hopes Of Pause In Rate Increases

Wall Street stocks finished solidly higher on Thursday, reflecting better sentiment on the US economy and a consensus vi... Read more

China's Financial Risks 'controllable': Regulators

The head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration on Thursday told a high-profile forum in Shanghai that the ... Read more

Banks Cut Yuan Deposit Rates, Could Boost Consumption

China's biggest banks on Thursday said they have lowered interest rates on yuan deposits, in actions that could ease pre... Read more

Cheese And Wine Put EU, Australia Deal In Peril

Australia on Thursday threatened to walk away from a blockbuster free trade deal with the European Union unless its prod... Read more

US Stocks End Mixed As Tech Shares Are Sold Off

Gains by industrial companies lifted the Dow on Wednesday, while weakness among technology shares pushed the Nasdaq deci... Read more

Amazon 'plans Prime Video Streaming Service With Ads'

Amazon.com is planning to launch an advertising-supported tier of its Prime Video streaming service, the Wall Street Jou... Read more