HK stocks narrow gains, fail to stand above 26,000 level

Hong Kong stocks narrowed the gains and closed higher on Thursday.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index increased 17 points, or 0.07 percent, to 25,945.

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index inched up 2.5 points, or 0.03 percent, to 9,164, while the Hang Seng Tech Index decreased 0.36 percent to 5,598.

The full-day turnover reached HK$204.7 billion.

PopMart outperformed the market, jumping the most by 6.8 percent to HK$218.6 among the blue chips.

Anta Sports Products (2020) shares rose 1.66 percent on the potential takeover of German sportswear brand Puma.

Alibaba (9988), BYD(1211), and Baidu (9888) extended losses, falling 2.7 percent, 1.4 percent, and 1.6 percent respectively, as they reportedly would be listed as Chinese military-linked companies by the Pentagon.

In the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index inched up 0.29 percent at 3,875, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.25 percent lower at 12,875.