Hong Kong stocks swing as Brexit vote results begin

Hong Kong stocks swung wildly at their open on Friday as initial results from Britain’s knife-edge EU membership referendum began to trickle in.

Hong Kong stocks swung wildly at their open on Friday as initial results from Britain’s knife-edge EU membership referendum began to trickle in.

Traders and financial professionals work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. (AFP Photo)

The Hang Seng Index plunged around two percent in initial trade, then clawed nearly all of its losses back moments later.

Around 45 minutes after the open, it was down 1.0 percent, or 208.95 points, at 20659.39.

Chinese shares were also down, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index falling 0.28 percent, or 8.20 points, to 2883.76.

The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China’s second exchange, edged down 0.16 percent, or 3.08 points, to 1912.13.