Hong Kong Stocks Regain Momentum After Dull Start

Hong Kong stocks went into the break on a positive note on Friday, though traders remained on edge over a lack of movement in US stimulus talks and signs the global recovery is slowing.

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.3 percent, to 24,416.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.3 percent, to 3,313 while the Shenzhen Composite Index gained 1 percent, to 2,209.

Seoul, Taipei and Jakarta were all higher while Tokyo was marginally up. But there were slight losses in Sydney, Singapore, Wellington and Manila.

On currency markets, the pound faced fresh pressure after the Bank of England suggested it could adopt a policy of negative interest rates to kickstart the battered economy.

"Given the looming risk of a no-deal Brexit and the recent resurgence in Covid-19 cases in the country, investors are also taking the possibility seriously," Strickland added. (AFP)

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