HONG KONG - Hong Kong stocks closed lower on Tuesday, as strong US services data raised doubts whether the Federal Reserve would opt to reduce the size of its interest rate hikes so soon.

The stocks declined after hitting its highest level since Sept 1. The benchmark Hang Seng Index lost 0.4 percent to 19,441.18, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index fell 0.8 percent to 6,652.95 points.

Tech firms listed in the financial hub retreated 1.8 percent, with Alibaba down 3 percent.