Hong Kong stocks end down
Hong Kong stocks closed with a steep loss on Wednesday as investors kept a nervous watch on US talks to avert a debt default, with lawmakers making slow progress. The Hang Seng Index fell 2.1 percent, or 417 points, to 19,560. The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.2 percent, or 6 points, to 3,284, while the Shenzhen Composite Index added 0.3 percent, or 6 points, to 2,025. (AFP)