Hong Kong shares are expected to open under pressure on Thursday as investors lock in profits after the Hang Seng Index surged 702.57 points or 2.99 percent to 24,199.46 on Wednesday. The rally was driven by broad-based gains across all sectors, particularly financial shares and technology stocks. However, renewed hostilities in the Middle East, with President Donald Trump declaring the U.S.-Iran ceasefire over, have soured global sentiment. Wall Street ended mixed, with the Dow tumbling 576.76 points while the NASDAQ edged up 0.20 percent, as crude oil prices spiked 4.49 percent to $73.60 per barrel before pulling back. The negative global backdrop is likely to weigh on Asian markets, prompting profit taking in Hong Kong.