Hong Kong Stock Index Drops More Than 6 Percent in Early Trading

HONG KONG – Hong Kong's stock index has plunged over 6 percent in early trade, tracking Wall Street's sharp lossses overnight.

The blue chip Hang Seng index fell 861.81 points, or 6.2 percent, to 3,077.28 in the first 10 minutes of trading Thursday.

Investors took their cue to dump shares after the Dow Jones industrial average dropped 411.30 points, or 4.7 percent, to 8,282.66.

Wall Street fell for the third straight session as investors absorbed another series of dismal corporate reports and news that the U.S. government has decided not to buy soured mortgage assets from banks.