Hong Kong: Shares close down, uninspired by mainland gains

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong stocks, which resumed trading on Thursday after a public holiday, ended the session lower, taking cues from a weak New York market and uninspired by a rebound in mainland markets.

The Hang Seng index fell 0.6 per cent, to 22,845.37, while the China Enterprises Index lost 0.5 per cent, to 10,600.52 points.

Most sectors fell, with energy stocks among the worst casualties, weighed down by Chinese oil giants Sinopec , PetroChina and CNOOC.

But shares of major Chinese carriers including Air China , China Eastern and China Southern Airlines jumped on merger expectations.

Also bucking the broader trend were shares of China mini-marts operator Wumart Stores Inc, which surged 68 per cent to a four-month high after its parent Wumei Holdings offered to buy ones it doesn't already own.

REUTERS