Casinos drag on Hong Kong stocks

The Hong Kong stock market finished down for the first time in last four sessions on Friday, 09 December 2016, with Macau gaming counters leading retreat after a report that China was restricting cash withdrawals in Macau amid efforts to control capital outflows. The Hang Seng Index ended down 0.44%, or 100.86 points, to 22,760.98, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises index declined 0.29%, or 28.87 points, to 9,867.95. Turnover increased to HK$76.4 billion from HK$73.5 billion on Thursday. For the week, Hang Seng index still rose 0.9%. Shares of casino operators including tumbled after a report that Macau was preparing to halve the amount of cash China UnionPay card holders can withdraw from ATM machines. The shares clawed back some of their losses after China UnionPay dismissed cash-curb reports. Galaxy Entertainment (00027) slipped 7% to HK$35. Sands China (01928) plunged 7.9% to HK$34.55. Melco International (00200) dived 10.4% to HK$11.22. Wynn Macau (01128) declined 7% to HK$13.1.

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