Hong Kong Assets Turn Toxic as Trade War and Protests Cloud Outlook

  • Stocks just completed longest streak of losses in 35 years
  • Local currency, retailers and property also under pressure
Demonstrators are shrouded in a cloud of tear gas outside the North Point Police Station on Aug. 5.Photographer: Justin Chin/Bloomberg
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Investor anxiety is visible just about everywhere in Hong Kong’s markets as recession warnings and escalating protests strain sentiment to breaking point.

While most of the world recovered Tuesday from a yuan-induced meltdown, Hong Kong saw the biggest spike in interbank rates in more than a decade, the longest stretch of equity declines since 1984 and the wildest stock swings in four years. Bears reloaded on the local dollar in a way not seen since 2017Bloomberg Terminal, betting it will soon break through the weak end of its trading band.