20.04.202602:06:22UTC+00Hong Kong Stocks Edge Higher Amid Middle East Tensions

The Hang Seng Index climbed 130 points, or 0.5%, to close at 26,285 on Monday, rebounding from early volatility as investors weighed mixed global trade signals against mounting geopolitical risks. Market caution persisted amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with worries over possible disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and continued strains in US–Iran relations dampening sentiment.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump stated that American naval forces had intercepted and seized control of an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach a blockade—an action Tehran denounced as a violation of the ceasefire. The incident intensified concerns over energy supply security and kept regional risk appetite restrained at the start of the week.

Even so, finance and technology shares underpinned the market’s advance. Key gainers included Tencent Holdings (0.1%), Guoquan Food (1.0%), Xiaomi Corporation (1.3%), AIA Group (1.8%), and Kuaishou Technology (1.2%).