Hong Kong Markets Close Early as Tropical Storm Wipha Rages
- Nearly 600 flights cancelled or delayed; 16 people injured
- Data showed Hong Kong economy grew less than forecast
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A tropical storm shut Hong Kong’s financial markets for the first time in almost two years, adding extra drama to a city that’s been wracked by protests for weeks.
The Hong Kong Observatory raised the storm signal to 8 at 1:40 p.m. local time, the third highest number on its scale. That prompted the city’s stock exchange to suspend trading 15 minutes later, as required by its rules. The Hang Seng Index, which normally closes after 4 p.m., ended the session 1.3% lower. Nearly 600 flights have been cancelled or delayed.