Hang Seng down 1.31% at 17,937 points (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Hong Kong , 12 Jun - Hong Kong shares ended lower, leading the losses amid mixed Asian markets. The city's stocks extended yesterday's losses, with the Hang Seng index dropping below the 18,000 mark for the first time in two months.

Investors awaited a Federal Reserve policy decision later today, with the US central bank expected to keep rates steady and offer more cues on its future rate path.

Traders also awaited key consumer price index data due today before the Fed's decision. The figures are expected to show inflation remained sticky in May, giving the Fed little impetus to start slashing rates.

US-China trade tensions weighed on investor sentiment amid reports of more US trade scrutiny against Beijing.

According to the reports, Washington was considering wider trade sanctions on semiconductor exports to Russia and could potentially target Chinese and Hong Kong chip resellers.

The markets also continued to weigh mixed economic data coming out of China, with fresh figures showing that while producer price index inflation shrank at its slowest pace in 15 months in May, consumer price index inflation grew less than expected amid sluggish consumption.

In Hong Kong stock market dealings technology shares again sank, with the Hang Seng Tech Index down 1.71%.

Hong Kong property developers were also lower ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision.

The Hang Seng index closed down 1.31% at 17,937 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 12-06-24 12:12:13 (0294) 5 NNNN