Hong Kong: Shares fall, weighed by energy, materials stocks

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong shares fell on Thursday as sliding oil prices weighed on energy stocks and as investors booked profits ahead of the long Easter weekend.

The Hang Seng index fell 1.3 per cent to 20,345.61 points, while the China Enterprises Index lost 1.9 per cent to 8,701.13 points.

The energy sector dropped 2.6 per cent, with oil giants Sinopec Corp and PetroChina tumbling 2.6 per cent and 4.3 per cent, respectively.

An index tracking resources shares also dropped sharply, down nearly 3 per cent.

Hong Kong markets will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

The Hang Seng index fell 1.7 per cent in the holiday-shortened week but has still gained more than 10 per cent since mid-February.

REUTERS