From Yahoo Finance: 2025-03-20 21:30:00

CK Hutchison’s shares dropped after weak earnings and dividends. A pro-Beijing paper warned that the firm’s port sale could breach Hong Kong’s security laws. The deal with a BlackRock consortium could bring in over $19 billion, causing tension with China and the U.S. over control of strategic assets.

President Trump praised the deal, but the pro-Beijing paper criticized it as aiding U.S. efforts to contain China. Concerns were raised about national security and economic harm. Hong Kong’s national security law, Article 23, aims to protect sovereignty and development interests, potentially clashing with the controversial transaction.

CK Hutchison saw a 3.6% drop in shares, with no mention of the port sale in earnings. The firm plans to cut spending and focus on cash flow management amid rising geopolitical tensions. Underlying profit fell 11% to HK$20.8 billion, leading to a reduced final dividend of HK$1.514 per share for 2023.

Read more: CK Hutchison shares drop after earnings, pro-Beijing paper’s fresh criticism cites security laws