Hong Kong stocks fall as US data delay, Fed policy uncertainty hit sentiment
The US government will release nonfarm payrolls for September on Thursday, the first data since the 43-day shutdown
The Hang Seng Index closed 0.7 per cent lower at 26,384.28, adding to the 1.9 per cent loss on Friday. The Hang Seng Tech Index dropped 1 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index retreated 0.7 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.5 per cent.
Among the top decliners, online travel-booking agency Trip.com slumped 3.6 per cent to HK$555.50, while search-engine leader Baidu slid 3 per cent to HK$113.60 and electric-vehicle maker Li Auto retreated 2.5 per cent to HK$75.40.
Limiting losses, Pop Mart International added 0.5 per cent to HK$217.40 on reports that Sony Pictures planned to produce a film featuring the blind-box toymaker’s popular Labubu character. Food-delivery service provider Meituan gained 0.3 per cent to HK$100.30.
On Friday, the US government said it would publish the nonfarm payrolls for September on Thursday, the first major economic data since a 43-day shutdown halted statistical releases. The unusually long blackout on market-moving indicators has complicated assessments of the economy and muddied expectations for a rate cut in December.