27.03.202602:09:54UTC+00HK Stocks Extend Losses as Iran Conflict Clouds Outlook

The Hang Seng Index declined 0.4% to around 24,753 on Friday, extending the previous session’s losses as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to weigh on risk sentiment after a sharp selloff on Wall Street. Investors stayed cautious despite President Donald Trump’s decision to extend by 10 days the deadline for Iran to reach a deal, with uncertainty over the trajectory of the conflict still high. Market mood deteriorated further after reports that the United States is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional troops to the region, intensifying concerns about prolonged instability.

Oil prices remained volatile, with Brent crude swinging before stabilizing near $107 per barrel, a still-elevated level amid supply disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz. Persistently high energy prices continued to stoke inflation fears and erode global risk appetite. Among early notable decliners were Meituan Class B (-0.6%), Tencent Holdings (-0.9%), AIA Group (-3.39%), and Techtronic Industries (-0.9%).