Hong Kong stocks opened lower on Tuesday amid broader declines in tech and auto sectors.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index lost 161 points, or 0.6 percent, to open at 25,252.

The tech gauge retreated 0.5 percent to 4,502.

The declines came as stricter supplier payment rules for automakers and mixed performances among tech giants weighed on sentiments.

Among the tech heavyweights, Alibaba dropped 0.6 percent and Tencent gave up 0.3 percent, while Meituan and JD.com fell 0.8 percent.

In the auto sector, BYD Electronics fell one percent, while Li Auto declined 1.9 percent – after mainland regulators introduced stricter rules governing automakers' payments to suppliers on Monday.

On the mainland, stocks opened higher, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.1 percent to 3,935.

The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.06 percent higher at 13,782.

Asian markets struggled for direction as a mixed batch of regional economic data and fresh Iranian threats in the Persian Gulf drove oil prices and bond yields higher.

Japan's Nikkei 225 fluctuated between gains and losses before edging up 0.2 percent at one stage before noon as the yen jumped up to 0.6 percent to 153.51, its strongest level since February 18.

The yen's gains came as investors ramp up bets on Bank of Japan's interest rate hikes.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.2 percent, led by a 1.2 percent gain in the Kospi.

Over in Australia, shares slumped 0.6 percent after a measure of local consumer sentiment fell sharply in September. (Agencies)



Edited by Tony Sabine