Hong Kong benchmark index up before China March data begins

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong stocks ended slightly higher on Friday as investors searched for cues on direction ahead of China's March economic data.

The Hang Seng index rose 0.5 per cent, to 20,370.40, while the China Enterprises Index gained 0.7 per cent, to 8,704.81 points.

For the week, the Hang Seng shed 0.6 per cent while the HSCE fell 1.6 per cent.

Over the next week, China will release key economic data for March, which will be closely monitored by investors to assess the country's economic health.

On Friday in Hong Kong, the energy sector strengthened 0.95 per cent and property & construction by 0.84 per cent.

REUTERS