Hong Kong, mainland China stocks tumble after Fed meeting prompts capital outflow worries
- Fed meeting fuels expectations of a rate rise in December
- Banking stocks take hit after Chinese financial regulator makes private lending targets
Hong Kong stocks tumbled the most in more than two weeks on Friday, after a US Federal Reserve meeting signalling a gradual rate rise prompted worries about capital flow out of China.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index tumbled 2.4 per cent, or 625.8 points, to 25,601.92, the largest daily loss since October 23. The gauge declined 3.3 per cent for the week – the worst performance in a month.
The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index declined 2.1 per cent, or 224.75 points, to 10,478.84.
Meanwhile, stocks also trended lower in Shanghai and Shenzhen, recording a five-day losing streak. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.4 per cent to 2,598.97, and the Shenzhen Composite Index shed 0.4 per cent to 1,328.19.
The US policymaking Federal Open Market Committee left interest rates unchanged at between 2 per cent to 2.25 per cent on Thursday, fuelling expectations it would approve the fourth rate rise of this year in December.