Hong Kong's stock exchange was closed Wednesday due to a severe tropical storm sweeping the region.

Trading was canceled after weather officials issued a typhoon warning because of the storm, the exchange said in a statement. The storm was centered about 80 miles south-southwest of Hong Kong.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index retreated 565.17 points, or 2.5 percent, to end at 21,949.75 points on Tuesday.

___

On the Net:

Stock Exchange of Hong Kong: http://www.hkex.com.hk