HONG KONG: Hong Kong stocks have eased 0.22 per cent following Wall Street losses, but mainland markets rallied after another weak reading on Chinese manufacturing activity raised hopes for further stimulus measures by Beijing.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index on Thursday fell 61.33 points to close at 27,523.72 on turnover of $HK124.51 billion ($A20.41 billion).
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index jumped 1.87 per cent, or 83.13 points, to 4,529.42 on turnover of 729.1 billion yuan ($A151.51 billion). It was the highest close since February 20, 2008, when the index ended at 4,567.03 points.
The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China’s second exchange, surged 3.59 per cent, or 94.10 points, to 2,713.42 on turnover of 793.0 billion yuan.
