Pro-democracy protests hit Hong Kong shares

2014-09-29 14

Hong Kong shares ended at their lowest in 2-1/2 months on Monday following the unrest.

The Hang Seng Index .HSI closed down 1.9 percent at 23,229.21 points, its lowest close since July 9. This was the benchmark’s biggest daily loss in about three weeks.

Local retailers have also felt the brunt as the protests come ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday and the expected surge in tourism.

In response to the demonstrations HSBC, Standard Chartered and several other banks have suspended some of their operations in central Hong Kong.

Bank branches that offer over-the-counter services have been closed, as well as ATMs and cash deposit machines in affected areas.

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