Hong Kong stocks finished sharply lower on Thursday after a hawkish Federal Reserve outlook for interest rates dented hopes for a slowdown in its monetary tightening drive.

The Hang Seng Index fell 1.6 percent, or 304 points, to 19,368.

The Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.3 percent, or 7 points, to 3,168, while the Shenzhen Composite Index added 0.3 percent, or 6 points, to 2,054. (AFP)