Hong Kong shares fall three percent

Hong Kong, Jan 21 (DPA) Hong Kong shares fell by almost three percent Wednesday as overnight losses on Wall Street and profit warnings from Chinese companies listed in the city deepened market gloom.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index ended the day down 376.14 points, or 2.9 percent, at 12,583.63. Turnover was a relatively low 47.6 billion Hong Kong dollars ($6.1 billion).

The Hong Kong slump, the second consecutive day of losses approaching three percent, mirrored falls in stock markets across Asia as US President Barack Obama's inauguration failed to lift global sentiment.