Asian equity markets slipped on Tuesday, weighed down by tensions in the Middle East amid efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The hawkish interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia also weighed on sentiment. Markets in China, Japan and South Korea were closed for holidays.
The Hang Seng Index of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange slid 0.8 percent from the previous close to finish trading at 25,898.61. The day's trading range was between a high of 25,945.75 and a low of 25,690.36. The index has gained more than 15 percent over the course of the past year.
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Market Analysis
May 01, 2026 15:54 ET Central banks dominated the economics news flow this week with almost all major ones announcing their latest policy decisions and many boosted expectations for a rate hike in June. In other news, several countries released the preliminary data for first quarter economic growth. In the U.S., comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell were also in focus as his term ends this month.