UK Met Office says England and Wales experienced their driest July on record.

Hong Kong optical-communications stocks mostly rose. Yangtze Optical Fibre & Cable (06869.HK) and Cambridge Technology (06166.HK) advanced over 8%, Huiju Technology (01729.HK) climbed more than 6%, and Lens Technology (06613.HK) gained just over 2%.

Zhen'an Technology filed a second revised proposal for a private placement to specific investors, adjusting total proceeds and the subscription amounts for Ning Huaxiang and Shenzhen Dongchuang Digital Technology Co. The company now proposes to raise up to 630 mln yuan from Ning and Dongchuang (inclusive) to replenish working capital and repay bank loans. Ning is a co-controller of the company; Shenzhen Dongchuang is an enterprise controlled by Ning Huaxiang and her husband Zhou Jianqi.