Hang Seng Reverses Early Gains Ahead of U.S. Inflation Data

The Hang Seng retreated 251 points, or 1.0%, to close at 25,466 on Friday, extending losses for a third straight session as selling pressure spread across sectors. The index also logged its third consecutive weekly decline, down 1.1%. Sentiment was dampened by a notable drop in U.S. stock futures as the Middle East conflict neared the two-week mark with no resolution in sight. Tensions escalated after Tehran threatened disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, keeping crude prices elevated and fueling inflation concerns. Mainland equities also weakened as traders awaited China’s February credit lending data and key activity indicators, including retail sales, for signals on domestic momentum. Still, losses were capped by reports that U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent will meet He Lifeng in France on March 15–16, ahead of a planned Trump–Xi summit in Beijing in late March. Major decliners included Zijin Gold Intl. (-8.0%), Minimax Group (-6.6%), Knowledge Atlas (-4.1%), and AIA Group (-3.1%).

Hong Kong shares fell 225 points, or 0.9%, to 25,495 in Friday morning trade, marking a third straight decline after Wall Street’s overnight weakness. The U.S.–Iran conflict entered its 14th day, with Tehran vowing to keep the world’s key oil chokepoint shut, while delayed U.S. reserve deliveries fueled inflation worries. In China, equities edged lower after two sessions of gains as traders awaited activity data for January–February, notably industrial output, retail sales, and the surveyed jobless rate, due next week. Still, losses were partly contained by views that most macro risks are already priced in, with investors continuing to add undervalued names. Selling pressure was evident across sectors in the city, with standout decliners including Orient Overseas (-7.2%), SenseTime (-5.2%), Cathay Pacific (-3.1%), Zijin Gold Intl. (-2.6%), and SMIC (-1.7%). The Hang Seng is on track for a second consecutive weekly decline, down about 1.0% so far.

The Hang Seng retreated 182 points or 0.7% to end at 25,717 on Thursday, down for the second session amid a sharp drop in U.S. equity futures as Iran stepped up attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle East, warning the world should be ready for oil at USD 200 a barrel in defiance of President Trump's claim that the U.S. had already won the war. In Hong Kong, authorities said Thursday they had launched an insider trading probe into two brokerages and a hedge fund, arresting eight people in its biggest crackdown on the financial industry in recent years. All sectors fell, with property and financials among biggest laggards, tracking weakness in mainland stocks. Cathay Pacific dropped 1.6% as it will raise fuel surcharges on all routes from March 18, due to geopolitical risks. Swire Properties fell 1.2% as its chief financial officer resigned. Other decliners included Knowledge Atlas (-9.2%), Nongfu Spring (-4.5%), and Henderson Land Development (-3.7%).