HSI up 159 points at midday

The Hang Seng Index closed at midday at 19,445 points, an increase of 159 points or about 1 percent.
International gold prices surpassed US$2,700 (HK$21,060) per ounce during Asian trading as the result of renewed interest in gold mining stocks.

Zijin Mining (2899) rebounded 3.3 percent, Zhaojin Mining Industry (1818) rose 2.1 percent and Shandong Gold Mining (1787) increased 1.4 percent.

Oil stocks rose in line with crude prices, with CNOOC (0883) up 2.1 percent, PetroChina (0857) gaining 1.9 percent and China Petroleum and Chemical (0386) edging up 0.2 percent.

(Melody Chen)