Hong Kong: Shares end lower amid rising MidEast tensions

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong shares ended lower on Wednesday, tracking regional markets on heightened geopolitical tensions after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet, but firmer Chinese stocks lent support.

The Hang Seng index fell 0.4 per cent, to 22,498.00, while the China Enterprises Index lost 0.3 per cent, to 10,127.87 points.

Asian markets were generally on edge after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border. It was one of the most serious publicly acknowledged clashes between a NATO member country and Russia for half a century.

Almost all sectors in Hong Kong fell. But energy shares were generally up on higher oil prices triggered by the Middle East tension.

Bucking the trend, shares of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group jumped 6 per cent after the company declared a special dividend, boosting its total dividend payout nearly four times from a year ago.

REUTERS