Regional Market Sentiment Cautious: Hong Kong's Hang Seng Down, Singapore's STI Flat

March 1, 2026

Global Markets

Reuters

Asian regional markets showed mixed performance on Friday, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index falling 0.7% due to China's economic data and geopolitical concerns. Singapore's Straits Times Index remained largely flat as investors awaited further global economic signals. Overall regional sentiment was cautious, impacting Kuala Lumpur's market.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28, 2026 – Major Asian stock markets were broadly subdued on Friday, influencing overall sentiment on Bursa Malaysia. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HSI) fell 0.7% to close at 16,500 points, primarily impacted by weaker-than-expected manufacturing data from China and escalating US-China tech competition. Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) remained largely flat, edging down 0.05% to 3,180 points, as investors adopted a wait-and-see approach ahead of Federal Reserve officials' speeches and upcoming US inflation data. This cautious regional sentiment partially offset the support provided by local institutional buying on the FBM KLCI. Analysts noted that concerns over global economic slowdown and geopolitical tensions are key headwinds facing regional markets currently.

View Source: Reuters

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