Shanghai shares extend losses; Hang Seng down at open

[HONG KONG] Shares in Shanghai opened sharply lower Thursday, extending a sell-off to a third straight day, while Hong Kong tracked losses on Wall Street after the Federal Reserve left the door open to a March US interest rate hike.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.89 per cent, or 24.40 points, to 2,711.16, while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, slid 1.37 per cent, or 23.27 points, to 1,676.88.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 0.18 per cent, or 34.95 points, to 19,017.50.

AFP