Hong Kong shares slid 267 points, or 1.0%, to 26,578 around noon on Monday, extending losses to a third straight session as selling pressure spread across sectors. Sentiment remained weak after fresh data showed China’s Q4 GDP growth slowed to its lowest pace in three years, reflecting persistent softness in domestic demand despite ongoing consumer subsidy measures. Markets looked past full-year growth of 5%, which met Beijing’s official target and was unchanged from the 2024 pace, focusing instead on mounting geopolitical risks. Meanwhile, U.S. equity futures fell sharply after President Trump threatened to impose escalating tariffs from February 1 on several European countries, linked to demands that the U.S. be allowed to buy Greenland. In China, equities were subdued after modest losses in the previous session. Among notable decliners in Hong Kong were Hansoh Pharma (-4.6%), Kuaishou Tech (-2.6%), SMIC (-2.0%), Xiaomi Corp (-1.6%), and AIA Group (-1.3%).
