Mainland and Hong Kong shares closed down on Thursday as investors turned risk-averse amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index ended down 248 points, or 0.95 percent, at 25,915.

The China enterprises index was down 69 points, or 0.79 percent, at 8,732 while the tech index plunged 98 points, or 1.98 percent, to 4,865.

Shares of Huaqin, a Chinese smart device maker and original design manufacturer, climbed 17 percent in their Hong Kong debut after the company ⁠raised HK$4.6 billion in a share offering.

Across the border, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed down 13 points, or 0.32 percent, at 4,093.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed 133 points, or 0.88 percent, lower at 15,043 while the ChiNext Index lost 32 points, or 0.87 percent, to close at 3,720.

The combined turnover of the two main Shanghai and Shenzhen indexes was 2.8 trillion yuan, up from 2.56 trillion yuan on Wednesday.

Precious metals, minor metals, and PET copper foil sectors were among the top decliners, while liquor, coal mining and processing, and oil and gas extraction led gains.

Risk sentiment weakened after Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, tightening its grip on the strategic waterway a day after US President Donald Trump announced he was indefinitely calling ⁠off attacks, with no sign of peace ⁠talks restarting.

Semiconductor stocks fell 1.6 percent, after Micron Technology, the largest US memory chipmaker, reportedly pushed the US Congress to crack down on chip tool sales ⁠to Chinese rivals.

Consumer names outperformed, with onshore liquor shares up 2.1 percent.

"Although traditional consumer segments have not performed well, structural opportunities do exist," said Zheng Wenli, a portfolio manager at T Rowe Price.

"These include companies exposed to faster-growing segments such as travel and entertainment and share gainers with innovative business models such ⁠as discount stores and fresh drinks," Zheng said.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei ended 445 points, or 0.75 percent, lower at 59,140 after touching a record high of 60,013 earlier in the day.

Seoul was the outlier, with the benchmark Kospi rising 57 points, or 0.9 percent, to 6,475. (Reuters/Xinhua)


Edited by Tony Sabine