Hong Kong Shares Edge Lower
2026-03-30 02:07
By
Nicole Aliyah
1 min. read
The Hang Seng Index fell 1.5% to around 24,589 on Monday, mirroring widespread losses across Asian markets as escalating geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices weighed on sentiment.
The Iran war entered its fifth week with no clear resolution, with Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen opening a new front and the United States reinforcing its military presence, raising risks of prolonged conflict and potential energy supply disruptions.
Higher crude prices lifted inflation expectations, driving bond yields and the US dollar higher, which pressured equities across the region.
Separately, tensions between China and the United States increased after Beijing protested a US advisory regarding Hong Kong’s expanded national security rules, adding uncertainty around the regulatory environment and foreign participation.
Notable laggards included Tencent Holdings (-0.4%), Meituan (-0.9%), Pop Mart International (-0.7%), and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (-1.22%).