Chinese stocks softened as investors await trade progress

Hong Kong stocks turned red in the afternoon with a full-day loss of 0.33 percent on Tuesday, as investors are waiting for more progress from US President Donald Trump's trade talks.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index ended Tuesday at 26,346, down 87 points from one day ago. 

The full-day main board turnover decreased to HK$242.7 billion.

The tech gauge retreated by 1.26 percent to 6,093. Alibaba (9988) lost 0.86 percent, and SMIC (0981) also logged a fall of 3.3 percent.

HSBC (0005) rose 3.3 percent after announcing the third-quarter results.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Composite Index softened after returning to 4,000 points and ended at 3,988, 0.22 percent lower than one day ago. The Shenzhen Component Index dropped 0.44 percent to 13,430 points.