Hong Kong stock slump deepens on mainland slowdown

Hong Kong stocks dropped to a six-week low after mainland data signaled a deeper slowdown, the yuan extended losses and the US Federal Reserve minutes boosted the case for higher US interest rates.

The Hang Seng Index closed 1.6 percent lower, taking its four-day loss to 3.9 percent. Declines accelerated in the minutes before trade data were released.

China Merchants Port Holdings Co retreated after the country's exports plunged 10 percent last month. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd tumbled to a seven-year low after scrapping a profit outlook.