Hong Kong stocks ended mixed Tuesday as investors weighed a fragile Israel-Iran truce and fresh Pentagon scrutiny of major Chinese companies.
The Hang Seng Index fell 0.4%, or 91.16 points, to close at 24,565.90, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index slipped 0.2%, or 16.77 points, to finish at 8,324.59.
Oil prices settled higher after swinging sharply during Monday's session, when both Iran and Israel indicated they would halt attacks following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Tehran, however, warned it could resume military action if Israel continued strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, signaling the fragility of the truce.
In corporate news, the Pentagon added several major Chinese companies, including Alibaba, Baidu, BYD (HKG:1211, SHE:002594), and Nio, to a list of entities it alleges have links to China's military.
Alibaba (HKG:9988), Baidu (HKG:9888), and Nio (HKG:9866) rejected the designation, saying they were neither Chinese military companies nor participants in China's military-civil fusion program.
The companies also said the move would not have a material impact on their operations.
Alibaba closed over 1% lower, while Baidu and Nio ended nearly 1% higher.