Hong Kong: Stocks end 0.65% higher

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong shares climbed 0.65 per cent on Thursday following upbeat US data and an uptick in oil prices but mainland Chinese equities were hammered by profit-taking after a surge in recent months.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 154.27 points to 23,835.53 on turnover of HK$101.94 billion (US$13.15 billion).

But in mainland China the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index plunged 2.39 per cent, or 80.49 points, to 3,293.46 on turnover of 399.2 billion yuan (US$64.2 billion).

The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, slid 0.43 per cent, or 6.30 points, to 1,451.15 on turnover of 222.2 billion yuan.

AFP