Investors weighed down by HK chaos

JUDGING from the performance of the Straits Times Index (STI), the Hong Kong factor was evidently felt, with observers increasingly paying more attention to unrest in the territory. The benchmark eased 7.37 points or 0.2 per cent to 3,231.85, pulled down by constituents with deep exposure to the territory such as the Jardines.

That said, investors also took the opportunity to take profit on counters that had a decent run-up before Q3 earnings were reported.

Elsewhere in Asia-Pacific, the picture was mixed. Expectedly, Hong Kong led key regional markets in the loss column, shedding a further 247.77 points or 0.9 per cent to 26,323.69 - a five-week low - after Wednesday's 1.8 per cent dive. Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan also closed lower. On the other hand, Australia, China and South Korea ended in the black.