Hong Kong stocks closed slightly higher yesterday, boosted by gains in the banking and property sectors.

The Hang Seng Index rose 44.94 points, or 0.45 percent, finishing at 9,965.03. On Monday, the index had edged up 54.44 points, or 0.55. Turnover was light at HK$6.43 billion (US$824 million), down from Monday's HK$7.29 billion (US$934 million).

Investors continued to buy shares of banking giant HSBC Holdings following news last week that it was acquiring US consumer finance firm Household International for US$14.24 billion.

Property stocks have also posted gains recently in the wake of the government's moves to boost the local real estate market.

Taiwan Shares Down 1.3 Percent

Taiwan shares ended lower yesterday, with investors unsettled by the government's apparent lack of resolve to push through tough financial sector reforms ahead of key December elections, dealers said.

The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange finished down 64.11 points, or 1.3 percent, at 4,726.50, just seven points off its intraday low of 4,719.41 and well off an intraday high of 4,799.19.

Dealings were valued at NT$70 billion (US$2.01 billion) - a relatively sharp decline from the NT$100 billion (US$2.87 billion) recorded on Monday. Decliners outnumbered advancers 513 to 134, while 101 issues ended the day unchanged.

Nikkei Closes Mixed on High Tech

Tokyo stocks ended mixed yesterday, as gains in selected high-technology shares offset losses by banks and heavily indebted companies.

The benchmark 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 19.25 points, or 0.23 percent, to close at 8,346.01 points yesterday. On Monday, the Nikkei lost 157.58 points, or 1.85 percent, to close at 8,346.01 points.

The Tokyo Stock Price Index of all issues on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 6.75 points, or 0.82 percent, to 817.09 points - its lowest level since October 1984.

(Edited by china.org.cn from China Daily November 20, 2002)