Hong Kong: Shares end 0.44% higher

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong stocks finished 0.44 per cent higher on Thursday, tracking a rally in Shanghai, as China's weakest quarterly growth in six years fuels expectations the mainland government will unveil further stimulus measures.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index added 120.89 points to 27,739.71. Turnover was HK$198.59 billion.

In mainland China the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index jumped 2.71 per cent, or 110.66 points, to 4,194.82 - its highest since March 2008 - on turnover of 712.1 billion yuan.

The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, rose 1.17 per cent, or 24.50 points, to 2,126.15 on turnover of 481.4 billion yuan.

AFP