Hong Kong stocks drop for second day as investors await signals from Trump-Xi call



Hong Kong stocks fell for a second day on Friday as investors held back ahead of a closely watched talk between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which could yield signals on tariffs, TikTok’s fate and the battle for tech dominance.

The Hang Seng Index slid 0.2 per cent to 26,485.31 as of 9.50am local time, adding to the 1.4 per cent loss on Thursday. The Hang Seng Tech Index added 0.5 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index gained 0.3 per cent, while the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.1 per cent.

Short-video sharing platform Kuaishou Technology slid 2 per cent to HK$74.27, while blind box toymaker Pop Mart International lost 0.8 per cent to HK$265.20. Online-game provider NetEase slipped 1.2 per cent to HK$237.60, and insurance firm AIA Group fell 1.5 per cent to HK$72.10.

Sportswear producer Anta Sports Products rose 3.6 per cent to HK$97.65, and chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International advanced 2.7 per cent to HK$71.40. PC maker Lenovo Group gained 3 per cent to HK$12.27, and e-commerce company JD.com rose 3.5 per cent to HK$139.

Trump and Xi are due to speak at 9am Washington time on Friday, or 9pm in Beijing. Investors are treating the Trump-Xi call, which is the first since June, as a potential risk event rather than a breakthrough moment. While expectations of any concrete agreements remain low, the tone of the conversation could sway sentiment on tariffs, technology supply chains and TikTok’s future in the US.

Two stocks debuted. GenFleet Therapeutics Shanghai jumped 117 per cent to HK$44.30 in Hong Kong, while Hebei Chichang Auto Parts gained 296 per cent to 43.32 yuan in Beijing.

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