Hong Kong: Stocks end sharply higher

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong stocks closed the first, volatile, week of the new year on a positive note on Friday as traders shrugged off worries about a fresh outbreak in the city and the prospect of higher US interest rates, with tech firms enjoying some healthy bargain-buying.

The Hang Seng Index climbed 1.82 per cent or 420.52 points to 23,493.38 - leaving it 0.41 per cent up for the week.

The Shanghai Composite Index eased 0.18 per cent or 6.54 points to 3,579.54, and the Shenzhen Composite Index on China's second exchange lost 1.15 per cent or 28.51 points to 2,452.82.

AFP