Hong Kong ⁠stocks fell on Tuesday amid rising Middle East tensions.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index ended the day 95 points, or 0.4 percent, lower at 25,317 on turnover of HK$206.17 billion.

The tech index fell 72 points, or 1.6 percent, to 4,454 while the China enterprises index was 32 points, or 0.4 percent, lower at 8,397.

Elsewhere, Shanghai shares edged up led by farming, energy and gold stocks but China's blue-chip index was dragged lower by tech plays.

The Shanghai Composite Index closed up seven points, or 0.2 percent, at 3,940 on turnover of 915.56 billion yuan.

The blue-chip CSI 300 Index reversed early gains, dropping 0.4 percent.

Both indices have stabilised recently after a mid-year selloff wiped off this year's gains.

The Shenzhen Component Index fell 71 points, or 0.52 percent, to close at 13,703 on turnover of 1.04 trillion yuan while the ChiNext Index dropped 38 points, or 1.15 percent, to close at 3,359 on turnover of 473.7 billion yuan.

An index tracking China's ⁠agriculture-related shares jumped 4.3 percent after the central government unveiled a plan to bolster funding for rural ⁠revitalisation.

Energy shares also ‌climbed as heightened tensions in the Middle East pushed up oil prices.

On ‌Tuesday, Iran threatened the United States with "economic warfare" and said it ⁠had fired an advanced missile at the US.

Traders are closely monitoring the upcoming US inflation data that could shape expectations for the ‌Federal Reserve's next policy move.

Meanwhile, Chinese mainland gold stocks rose as the yellow metal gained ground, while the US dollar slipped.

"The structural forces supporting gold prices remain firmly in ⁠place," ‌James Luke, portfolio manager at Schroders, said ‌in a note, citing mounting US fiscal pressure.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index slid 1,130 points, or 1.7 percent, to close at 65,269 as renewed geopolitical tensions damped risk sentiment and a sudden surge in the yen weighed on exporters. The broader Topix slipped 75 points, or 1.83 percent, to 4,050.

In Seoul, the Kospi ended down 40 points, or 0.58 percent, at 6,954 after hitting a three-week high earlier in the day as retail investors booked profits after three consecutive sessions of gains. (Reuters & Xinhua)



Edited by Edmond Fong