Hong Kong shares end 1.42pc lower

HONG KONG, Apr 30 (AFP): Hong Kong shares sank 1.42 per cent Wednesday as investors braced for the US Federal Reserve to announce a possible further cut in its multi-billion-dollar asset purchase scheme.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index ended down 319.92 points at 22,133.97 on turnover of HK$67.15 billion (US$8.66 billion).

Chinese stocks closed up on the last trading day of the week before a public holiday, but dealers said gains were capped by tepid interest.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.30 per cent, or 6.02 points, to 2,026.36 on turnover of 57.7 billion yuan ($9.2 billion). The index slid 0.50 per cent for the week.