Hong Kong shares closed 0.34 per cent lower on Thursday, in line with a regional sell-off and ahead of the release of closely watched Chinese economic data.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 79.93 points to 23,177.00 on turnover of HK$79.04 billion.
Beijing will release on Friday trade and inflation data for January, looking for a better insight into the state of the world’s No 2 economy, on the last day before a week-long holiday on the mainland for Lunar New Year.
“Investors are cautious ahead of the long holidays,” said Ben Kwong, chief operating officer at KGI Asia.
China Overseas Land slipped 1.8 per cent to HK$21.90 and China Resources Land lost 3.2 per cent to HK$21.15 on fears over possible measures to rein in property prices.
Macau casino operator Sands China fell 0.6 per cent to HK$36.10, on top of its 5.2 per cent loss Wednesday, which was fuelled by fears of a Beijing crackdown on junket trips to the gambling centre from the mainland.
Galaxy Entertainment dropped 2.1 per cent to HK$32.30, following a 5.4 per cent fall on Wednesday.