HK shares open down 1.9 pct in broad slump
HONG KONG, May 18 (Reuters) - Hong Kong shares will start 1.9 percent lower on Monday following a record contraction in the local economy and an economic slump in euro-zone countries, while lower oil prices hit energy stocks hard.
Fashion retailer Esprit (0330.HK), which counts Europe and Hong Kong among its key markets, will open 3.9 percent lower.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI was down 321.99 points at 16,468.71 with offshore oil specialist CNOOC (0883.HK) set to open 3.5 percent lower.
The China Enterprises Index .HSCE of top mainland companies was set to start 1.9 percent lower at 9,426.76.
(Reporting by Parvathy Ullatil; Editing by Chris Lewis)
