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Hong Kong Stocks Open Lower as Oil Surge, Rate-Hike Bets Weigh

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Hong Kong stocks opened lower on Monday as a renewed surge in oil prices heightened inflation concerns.

The Hang Seng Index fell 0.4%, or 104.45 points, to open at 24,701.18, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index dropped 0.4%, or 33.33 points, to 8,213.00.

Brent crude rose 2.6% to $107.36 a barrel, extending last week's nearly 9% gain, as fresh strikes on Saudi Arabia and vessels in the Gulf heightened concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies.

A meeting between Iran and the Gulf Arab states to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was also postponed.

Markets priced in an 86% chance of a 25-basis-point U.S. Federal Reserve rate hike after U.S. consumer inflation accelerated in August.

What else is happening in Asia?