hang seng

Markets across the world respond well to 0.25% increase

Several brokers down 10%

Only a third posted positive returns

Chinese mainland shares have plummeted 6.5% as investors took profits, as a fresh squeeze on margin financing was blamed for the latest blip in the country's fierce equity rally.

Haiyan Li-Labbé, greater China analyst at Carmignac Gestion, highlights the many drivers that could eradicate the differences in price between local and overseas-listed Chinese companies in 2015

Sharp falls in Hong Kong-listed shares mean investors are now increasing their exposure to China via this route, even as the onshore market opens up further to foreign investment.

UK markets opened lower Friday after a tough session in the US where stocks suffered sharp losses on the expectation of an imminent rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

While markets across Europe took a break over the long Easter holiday, Asian markets fluctuated between gains and losses, weighed down by expected weak Chinese manufacturing data to be released this week.

Shares across Asia fell on Thursday after latest Chinese manufacturing data came in at a seven-month low.

Markets across Asia have fallen on news the US government may be headed for its first shutdown of services in almost 20 years.