The Hang Seng ended little changed on Tuesday, hovering around 26,438 after dipping earlier in the session. Another record close on Wall Street Monday supported sentiment, as bets grew that the Fed will resume its easing cycle this week and leave the door open to further cuts.

Strength in tech and consumer stocks helped offset weakness in property and financials, while traders digested a framework deal between the US and China to place TikTok under US-controlled ownership, with final approval expected in a Friday call between President Trump and Xi Jinping.

The index tracked mainland shares that finished subdued, with stimulus hopes from Beijing countering renewed trade tensions after China accused Nvidia of anti-monopoly violations. On the corporate front, Tencent Holdings reportedly plans to issue offshore yuan bonds. Meituan (4.4%), Trip.com (4.2%), Shenzhou Intl. (3.6%), and Geely Auto (3.1%) rose, while JD Health (-5.8%), Sands China (-4.1%), and China Hongqiao (-3.0%) fell.

Hong Kong Unemployment Holds at Highest Level Since November 2022

Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7% in the three months ending August 2025, holding at July's peak, the highest since November 2022. The number of unemployed increased by 6,000 to a three-year high of 151,000, while total employment grew by 9,300 to 3.68 million.

Jobless rates rose in several key sectors, notably the food and beverage service sector and the manufacturing sector. Youth unemployment (ages 20–29) rose to 7.8%, the highest since October 2021, from 7.3% in July.

Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate edged up to 57.2% from 57.0%. Looking ahead, Hong Kong's steady economic growth and government measures to stimulate consumption are expected to support overall labor demand, despite headwinds in some sectors.

Source: Trading Economi