Hong Kong and mainland stocks retreated from recent highs to close lower on Wednesday, pulled down by AI and property-linked shares despite domestic data showing industrial profits up north grew at their strongest pace in more than two years.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index finished 1.1 percent lower at 25,328 while the Hang Seng Tech Index lost 0.8 percent.

On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index finished down 1.25 percent to close at 4,093 points while the Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.88 percent lower.

The combined turnover of these two indices totalled 3.24 trillion yuan, edging down 5.1 billion yuan from the previous trading day.

Sectors such as food and beverage, retail, electricity and power grid equipment led the gains, while robotics and semiconductor sectors were among the top decliners.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 0.07 percent to close at 4,045 points.

Markets elsewhere in Asia were mixed.

Stocks in Taipei climbed around 1.6 percent.

Japan's Nikkei traded above the 66,000-mark for the first time before giving up gains and closed slightly higher.

Seoul was boosted by Samsung Electronics posting strong gains, helped by its union approving a deal with management that secured huge annual bonuses and averted a major strike.

Bangkok, Sydney and Wellington were also up whereas Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore and Manila dropped. (Agencies)


Edited by Tony Sabine