Protest Violence Spooks Hong Kong Market

Hong Kong stocks closed lower on Wednesday, tracking a steep sell-off on Wall Street fuelled by weak US factory data, while traders were also spooked by another day of violent demonstrations across the city.

The Hang Seng Index slipped 0.2 percent, to 26,042. The markets on the mainland were closed for a public holiday.

Tokyo ended 0.5 percent lower, Sydney fell 1.5 percent and Singapore lost 1.2 percent, with Manila also off more than one percent. Taipei, Wellington, Bangkok and Jakarta were also lower.

Seoul shed almost 2 percent after North Korea fired a missile into the sea just a day after Pyongyang said it would resume stalled nuclear talks this week.

"Looking at the broader picture, it is fair to say that the worldwide manufacturing sector is in trouble," said David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets. "The US-China trade spat is having a knock-on effect around the globe."

On currency markets the US dollar inched back after dropping Tuesday following the US factory data, which led to speculation the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again this month.

It pushed on against the pound as Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to submit his final offer for a new Brexit deal later in the day. (AFP)