Hong Kong Stocks Up In Morning Trade

Hong Kong stocks finished the morning session on a positive note on Thursday, in line with gains across most of Asia and following a healthy lead from Wall Street.

The Hang Seng index added 0.5 percent, or 124 points, to 26,691.

While US earnings on Wednesday were a mixed bag, investors remain broadly upbeat after better-than-forecast results so far have soothed worries about the impact of slowing economic growth on companies.

"People were bracing for the worst" for businesses, Yana Barton at Eaton Vance Management said. "So far we're coming in a little bit better," she told Bloomberg TV.

Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney and Taipei were up in early trade, but Shanghai and Seoul were down.

Data showed the South Korean economy grew in the third quarter at a slower pace than expected, putting it on course for the worst annual performance since the global financial crisis.

The positive mood comes just as China and the US look to be on track to sign a mini trade deal next month, and setting up talks for the next phase of a wider agreement to end their long-running tariffs war. (AFP)