Hong Kong: Stocks close 0.96% lower

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong tumbled 0.96 per cent on Wednesday, tracking a broad decline in Asia and following a retreat on Wall Street, while investors look ahead to the start of China's annual legislature meeting.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 237.40 points to 24,465.38 on turnover of HK$77.97 billion (S$13.71 billion).

However, in China the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.51 per cent, or 16.48 points, to 3,279.53 on turnover of 346.8 billion yuan (S$76.64 billion).

The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, gained 1.72 per cent, or 28.25 points, to 1,673.24 on turnover of 336.1 billion yuan.

AFP