© Scanpix/AP
|
Hong Kong stocks advanced for the fifth session in a row on Friday amid positive headlines from the US and eurozone. US labour market started to show signs of recovery while Mario Draghi promised to buy bonds from indebted eurozone's members. However, slowing retail sales in the country as well as lack of actions from the BoJ limited gains of the stock index. The Hang Seng added 0.50% to close at 21,012.38. Six out of nine sectors included in the index climbed. The biggest gains poised basic materials and consumer goods. Aluminum Corp of China (CHALCO) and Hengan International Group jumped 3.15% and 1.50%. Financials also sent Hong Kong blue chips index higher. AIA, Bank of Communications and Construction Bank of China rose 1.70%, 0.56% and 0.55%, respectively. Dragging China's stock index lower, utilities and technology firms lost 0.41% and 0.23%. China Resources Power Holdings and Power Assets Holdings sank 0.94% and 0.75% while Tencent slid 0.23%.