Hong Kong: Shares close up 1.3% in 2014

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong shares finished up on Wednesday on a shortened half day of trade, gaining 1.3 per cent in 2014.

That marks the widest performance gap versus mainland indexes since 2007, as the Shanghai Composite Index looks set to close the year up around 50 per cent.

The Hang Seng index rose 0.4 per cent, to 23,605.04 points, while the China Enterprises Index gained 1.2 per cent, to 11,984.69.

The China Enterprises Index rose 11 per cent for the year, buoyed by the rally in mainland markets.

Among the most actively traded stocks on Hong Kong's main board were Peacemap Holdings, up 6.4 per cent to HK$0.34; China Resources and Transportation Group, up 17.8 per cent to HK$0.18; and Bank Of China, up 1.9 per cent to HK$4.37.

Total trading volume of companies included in the HSI index was 1.0 billion shares.

Hong Kong markets will be closed on Thursday and reopen on Friday.

REUTERS