HONG KONG, March 26 — Hong Kong shares finished on a negative note today following a healthy rally, with investors taking profits while also nervously awaiting key US jobless claims data later in the day.

The Hang Seng Index slipped 0.74 per cent, or 174.85 points, to close at 23,352.34.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.60 per cent, or 16.68 points, to 2,764.91, while the Shenzhen Composite Index eased 0.80 per cent, or 13.70 points, to 1,701.15. — AFP