HSI Ends In Red, Asian Markets Mixed

Hong Kong stocks finished on Wednesday with losses, extending a sell-off to a third day as traders fret over the impact of protests on the city, while they are awaiting a key Federal Reserve policy decision later in the day.

The Hang Seng Index eased 0.1 percent, to 26,754.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.3 percent, to 2,985 and the Shenzhen Composite Index rose 0.3 percent, to 1,655.

Other Asian equities were mixed, with attention turning to the Federal Reserve's key policy decision later in the day.

Tokyo finished 0.2 percent down after a 10-day winning streak. Sydney slipped 0.2 percent and Singapore fell 0.4 percent with Manila and Bangkok also off. But Seoul added 0.4 percent and Taipei rose 0.5 percent, while Mumbai and Jakarta also rose.

Dealers have been given some optimism by the US and China's resumption of trade negotiations next month, with a delegation from Beijing reportedly visiting Washington this week for preparatory talks.

However, there are fresh worries about the impact on the already stuttering world economy from the Saudi oil attacks on Saturday.

While the resumption of output from the world's biggest exporter provided some much-needed relief, observers said long-term energy security is now a concern.

"Restoring production may placate global investors' immediate economic concerns, but that's only half the problem as the attacks exposed some significant vulnerabilities," said Stephen Innes at AxiTrader.

"None more so than just how inadequately prepared the markets are for disruptions of this magnitude which suggest that the supply risk premium could stick around well after production is restored." (AFP)