MW: Hong Kong shares drop sharply in early trading
By V. Phani Kumar, MarketWatch
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Hong Kong stocks dropped sharply in early trading Wednesday, reversing direction after posting strong gains in the previous two sessions.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index dropped 2.4% to 16,423.05, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index tumbled 4.2% to 8,079.99.
The decline came after U.S. stocks fell on Wall Street overnight.
Ranking among losers, shares of Cnooc fell 2.5% and PetroChina Co. lost 2.6% after crude-oil prices dropped overnight.
Most financial stocks declined, but Bank of East Asia shares advanced 1.6% a day after the Hong Kong government said it will guarantee all bank deposits.
