The Hang Seng Index edged down 0.2%, or 39 points, to 25,280 on Wednesday as investors assessed escalating Middle East tensions and higher oil prices. Brent crude moved toward US$100 a barrel after attacks on Saudi energy facilities heightened concerns about global supply disruptions, stoking inflation fears and potentially reducing the scope for interest-rate cuts. Weaker U.S. futures, following overnight losses on Wall Street, added pressure, while strength in Asian chip stocks and continued interest in artificial-intelligence shares helped cushion the decline. China’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 0.8% in August from 0.5% in July, and producer-price growth increased to 3.8% year-on-year from 3.5% in July, partly because of higher food and energy costs. Haidilao plunged nearly 10%, while Lenovo rose 2.1%, MiniMax gained 1.9% and Kingboard Laminates advanced 3.3%.