Hong Kong: Shares fall, track sliding mainland shares

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong shares gave up early gains and ended Tuesday lower, with investor sentiment subdued by slumping mainland stocks.

The Hang Seng index fell 0.5 per cent, to 21,455.23, while the China Enterprises Index lost 0.3 per cent, to 9,704.27 points.

Trading was thin as investors are worried about the health of China's economy and are nervous ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision this week, though many now expect the US central bank will hold off on raising interest rates for another few months.

Among major sectors, only tech stocks rose.

ICBC, up 0.2 per cent at HK$4.73, was among the most actively traded stocks on Hong Kong's main board.

Total trading volume of companies included in the HSI index was 1.4 billion shares.

REUTERS