HSI Slips As US Stimulus Talks Drag On

Hong Kong stocks went into the break slightly lower on Tuesday as investors keep tabs on stuttering US stimulus talks with a deadline for an agreement approaching later in the day.

The Hang Seng Index eased 0.1 percent, to 24,520.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index dipped 0.1 percent, to 3,308 while the Shenzhen Composite Index lost 0.4 percent, to 2,258.

Tokyo, Sydney and Jakarta all eased 0.3 percent, while Seoul dropped 0.5 percent, Singapore shed 0.6 percent and Taipei dipped 0.2 percent.

Wellington edged up.

The need for a stimulus is increasing with figures showing fresh infections across the US, fuelling concerns about the reimposition of economically damaging containment measures.

That comes as numerous European countries have been forced to put new targeted lockdowns in place as they struggle to contain a second wave.

Investors are also keeping tabs on post-Brexit trade talks, with Britain welcoming signals that the European Union was ready to intensify them but said its commitments did not yet go far enough to restart face-to-face negotiations. (AFP)

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