The Hang Seng dipped 168 points or 0.9% to close at 19,280 on Wednesday, falling for the third straight session and touching a six-week low as losses spread across sectors. Risk-averse sentiment prevailed as traders grappled with uncertainty over US interest rates and policies under incoming President Trump. Caution also persisted ahead of the March National People's Congress in China, with investors expecting limited policy action in the interim. Meanwhile, Chinese officials criticized Washington's decision this week to blacklist some tech firms from China over alleged military ties. Tencent Hlds. slipped almost 3% to a four-month low despite saying its business would be unaffected by the US move. A modest rise in US futures offered some support, limiting further losses after data showed US job openings notched a six-month high in November. Other sharp declines were seen for Smoore Intl. (-6.5%), Xiaomi Corp. (-4.3%), Techtronic Inds. (-4.9%), and Semiconductor Manufacturing (-2.4%). (Cay) Newsmaker23

Source: Trading economi