CK Hutchison shares set to open down 4.5% as China state media blasts port deal

HONG KONG, March 31 (Reuters) - Shares of CK Hutchison 0001.HK were set to open down 4.5% on Monday after China state media blasted the Hong Kong conglomerate's Panama port deal and sources said the deal, which was expected to be signed on April 2, would be delayed.

Chinese state media attacked CK Hutchison's plan to sell its ports near the Panama Canal to a group led by BlackRock BLK.N, in a social media post on Saturday that was later taken down.

Reuters reported on Friday CK Hutchison had delayed part of the sale process, although sources said the deal has not been called off.