Shanghai, Hong Kong stocks end lower

HONG KONG: Shanghai and Hong Kong equities sank Wednesday as China's painful growth slowdown drags on companies' profits, while traders are also eyeing upcoming central bank meetings in the United States and Japan.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index lost 1.72 percent, or 59.14 points, to 3,375.20. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, sank 2.22 percent, or 45.40 points, to 1,998.38.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.80 percent, or 186.16 points, to close at 22,956.57.