HK shares fall

Hong Kong stocks ended the morning 0.51 per cent down on Thursday, as concerns over the European economy and international conflicts grew. The benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 126.07 points to 24,458.06 at the break. Analysts attributed Hong Kong’s stock market fall to a slump in Europe’s capital markets, hit by concerns that recent rises may have been sharper than warranted against a backdrop of conflict in Ukraine, Libya, Syria and Iraq. The euro also fell to an eight-month low against the dollar amid concerns about the health of the eurozone economy. Traders said sentiment had also been hit by news that several huge mergers had collapsed, including 21st Century Fox’s bid for Time Warner and that of US wireless operator Sprint for T-Mobile, according to a news agency.