Market Review

Hong Kong and China stocks ended marginally firmer on Thursday as worries over monetary tightening weighed after the latest economic data from China showed a pick-up in inflation. The HSI was up 0.1% or 19.91 points, at 21,228.2pts, ending a fifth consecutive session in positive territory. The HSCEI ended down 0.4% at 12,170.0 pts. Turnover increased to HK$57.30 billion from Wednesday's HK$55.15 billion. Swire Pacific (19.HK) outperformed with 1.1% gain after the conglomerate posted a 62.0% rise in underlying profit. Sun Hung Kai Properties (16.HK) edged up 0.1% to HK$114.50. After the market closed, the Asia's largest developer by market value reported a 44.0% rise in first-half underlying profit, beating forecasts.