Hong Kong stocks end flat
Hong Kong stocks ended marginally lower on Thursday, but bargain-buying after two days of losses helped pare a morning retreat fuelled by US Federal Reserve minutes that dented hopes for an early interest rate cut. The Hang Seng Index inched down 0.43 points to 16,645.98. The Shanghai Composite Index dipped 0.43 percent, or 12.90 points, to 2,954.35, and the Shenzhen Composite Index on China's second exchange fell 0.84 percent, or 15.21 points, to 1,797.50.