<div id="readability-page-1"><div>Hong Kong stocks tumbled 483 points, or 1.8%, to 26,906 on the first trading day of February, extending steep losses from the prior session and retreating from last week’s 4-1/2-year high.Broad sector declines weighed on sentiment, compounded by a sharp drop in U.S. futures after bitcoin’s weekend slide and Friday’s heavy sell-off in precious metals.The backdrop was further clouded by a partial U.S. government shutdown, pending House approval of a funding deal.In China, equities weakened after official PMI data signaled an unexpected contraction in factory activity amid subdued demand and cautious business confidence.Automakers BYD Hong Kong and Geely Auto fell 2.2% and 2.0%, respectively, on weak January sales.Metal and gold counters also retreated, including Zhojin Mining (-5.3%), Chow Tai Fook (-3.5%), Zijin Gold Intl. (-2.3%), and Laopu Gold (-1.2%).Bucking the trend, Minimax Group surged 12%, followed by Sands China (3.8%) and Pop Mart Intl. (3.4%).</div></div>

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Hong Kong stocks fell 1.8% to 26,906 on February's first trading day, continuing losses from the previous session. This decline was influenced by a drop in U.S. futures, a partial U.S. government shutdown, and disappointing PMI data from China indicating a contraction in factory activity. Notable declines included BYD Hong Kong and Geely Auto, while Minimax Group, Sands China, and Pop Mart Intl. saw gains.

- Hong Kong stocks fell 483 points, or 1.8%, to 26,906 on February's first trading day, following previous losses and retreating from a recent high.  
- Declines were driven by a broader market downturn, influenced by a significant drop in U.S. futures, a partial government shutdown, and weak factory activity data in China.  
- Despite this, some stocks like Minimax Group, Sands China, and Pop Mart Intl. saw gains of 12%, 3.8%, and 3.4%, respectively.

Equities in Hong Kong Under Pressure to Begin New Month