Hong Kong Stock Market

Hong Kong Stocks Up Sharply: The Hong Kong stock market gained sharply on reports suggesting that China may soften its opposition to talks with Britain about proposals by Gov. Chris Patten for wider democracy in the colony. The reports, in Chinese newspapers published in Hong Kong, were the first indication that China might drop its call for Patten to withdraw the proposals, published in October, as a precondition for talks. The Hang Seng index rose 191.29 points, or 3.

Hong Kong's stock market climbed steadily in early trading today, lifted by bargain-hunting and signs of stability on the U.S. market. The blue-chip Hang Seng index opened up 278.14 points, or 2.6%, at 10,901.92. It kept climbing, and by midday was up 5.43%. Singapore's Straits Times index was up even more, 5.9%. Other Asian markets were up by smaller percentages. The Hang Seng's performance brought relief after a two-week roller-coaster ride that saw the index lose 22% of its value.

Want to place a bet on the Hong Kong stock market? Then choose carefully, take a deep breath and hold on for what promises to be a wild--but potentially profitable--ride, according to analysts on both sides of the Pacific. With just three weeks remaining before the crown jewel of Britain's faded colonial empire returns to China, speculation abounds as to whether this Asian financial capital will survive under its new Communist masters.

Markets across Asia suffered a serious case of the jitters early today, as traders moved to protect themselves from continued turmoil in Asian currency and equity markets. At midday today, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was off 586.87 points, or 5.3%, at 10,557.47, Tokyo's Nikkei-225 index was down 333.47 points, or 1.9%, at 17,030.27 and Sydney's key index was off 84 points, or 3.3%, at 2,477.3.

Markets across Asia suffered a serious case of the jitters early today, as traders moved to protect themselves from continued turmoil in Asian currency and equity markets. At midday today, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was off 586.87 points, or 5.3%, at 10,557.47, Tokyo's Nikkei-225 index was down 333.47 points, or 1.9%, at 17,030.27 and Sydney's key index was off 84 points, or 3.3%, at 2,477.3.

Thursday's stock market declines in the United States, coming after sharp falls in the Hong Kong stock market, may be worrisome to U.S. investors fearing that events halfway around the world are exerting a major influence on their own portfolios. Here are some basic questions that American investors might have about how foreign markets affect U.S. stocks and bonds and whether the latest declines presage further trouble. * Q: We're thousands of miles from Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's jittery stock market, fueled by rumors from Beijing that hard-line Premier Li Peng might step down, bounced back Tuesday to post its greatest one-day gain since 1986. Buyers snapped up shares dumped Monday in response to fears of bloodshed after the weekend declaration of martial law in Beijing. "Yesterday we had panic selling, today we had panic buying," said Laurence Amerine, research manager at DMT Securities. On Monday, the market tumbled 10.8%, a fall of 339.06 points.

The Hong Kong stock market plunged more than 10% today in panic trading linked to the political crisis sweeping neighboring China. The pro-democracy demonstrations reached Hong Kong on Sunday as a million people marched on the streets in support of student protesters in Beijing. The British colony, noted for its freewheeling capitalism, reverts to China's control in 1997 and investors fear a repressive reaction to the student movement. The key Hang Seng Index ended down 339.06, or 10.8%, at 2806.

Panic began to spread through financial markets in this British colony Monday as residents reacted to the weekend bloodshed in Beijing with deep anxiety over their future under eventual Communist rule. Hong Kong's already jittery stock market plummeted nearly 22%, the worst single-day loss since the October, 1987, global crash. At the same time, trade union leaders prepared to stage a general strike Wednesday to protest the Beijing government's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, whose cause has been celebrated--and to a large extent financed--by Hong Kong Chinese.

Jardine Matheson, the powerful trading house that helped transform this colony into a jewel of the British Empire, moved closer Wednesday to completing a symbolic retreat begun a decade ago when Britain agreed to return Hong Kong to China. Jardine, which inspired James Clavell's novel "Noble House," removed two of its flagship affiliates--Jardine Matheson Holdings and Jardine Strategic Holdings--from the stock market here. The companies will be traded on the Singapore stock market next year.

Thursday's stock market declines in the United States, coming after sharp falls in the Hong Kong stock market, may be worrisome to U.S. investors fearing that events halfway around the world are exerting a major influence on their own portfolios. Here are some basic questions that American investors might have about how foreign markets affect U.S. stocks and bonds and whether the latest declines presage further trouble. * Q: We're thousands of miles from Hong Kong.

Want to place a bet on the Hong Kong stock market? Then choose carefully, take a deep breath and hold on for what promises to be a wild--but potentially profitable--ride, according to analysts on both sides of the Pacific. With just three weeks remaining before the crown jewel of Britain's faded colonial empire returns to China, speculation abounds as to whether this Asian financial capital will survive under its new Communist masters.

Jardine Matheson, the powerful trading house that helped transform this colony into a jewel of the British Empire, moved closer Wednesday to completing a symbolic retreat begun a decade ago when Britain agreed to return Hong Kong to China. Jardine, which inspired James Clavell's novel "Noble House," removed two of its flagship affiliates--Jardine Matheson Holdings and Jardine Strategic Holdings--from the stock market here. The companies will be traded on the Singapore stock market next year.

Hong Kong Stocks Up Sharply: The Hong Kong stock market gained sharply on reports suggesting that China may soften its opposition to talks with Britain about proposals by Gov. Chris Patten for wider democracy in the colony. The reports, in Chinese newspapers published in Hong Kong, were the first indication that China might drop its call for Patten to withdraw the proposals, published in October, as a precondition for talks. The Hang Seng index rose 191.29 points, or 3.

Panic began to spread through financial markets in this British colony Monday as residents reacted to the weekend bloodshed in Beijing with deep anxiety over their future under eventual Communist rule. Hong Kong's already jittery stock market plummeted nearly 22%, the worst single-day loss since the October, 1987, global crash. At the same time, trade union leaders prepared to stage a general strike Wednesday to protest the Beijing government's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, whose cause has been celebrated--and to a large extent financed--by Hong Kong Chinese.

The Hong Kong stock market plunged more than 10% today in panic trading linked to the political crisis sweeping neighboring China. The pro-democracy demonstrations reached Hong Kong on Sunday as a million people marched on the streets in support of student protesters in Beijing. The British colony, noted for its freewheeling capitalism, reverts to China's control in 1997 and investors fear a repressive reaction to the student movement. The key Hang Seng Index ended down 339.06, or 10.8%, at 2806.