Hong Kong: Shares open higher

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong stocks started Thursday with gains after a weak US retail sales report lifted hopes for another Federal Reserve interest rate cut.

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.54 per cent, or 144.76 points, to 26,809.04.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index added 0.04 per cent, or 1.28 points, to 2,979.99, while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, edged up 0.09 per cent, or 1.48 points, to 1,637.13.

AFP