Hong Kong Stocks Extend Gains To Fifth Day

Hong Kong stocks rose for a fifth successive day on Wednesday, in line with a broad advance across Asia with dealers buoyed by positive reports on the China-US trade talks.

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.5 percent, to 31,259.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index ended up flat, at 3,115 while the Shenzhen Composite Index edged up 0.1 percent, to 1,779.

Tokyo stocks gained as yen slipped against the US dollar. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.4 percent, to close at 22,625.

Sydney climbed 0.5 percent after data showed Australia's economy beat expectations in January-March by expanding at its fastest rate since the second quarter of last year. The Australian dollar rose 0.5 percent.

Wellington added 0.6 percent, Taipei put on 0.9 percent and Manila was 0.1 percent higher.

On currency markets, the greenback held on to gains on expectations the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates next week.

And the euro was also enjoying attention again after last week's sell-off fuelled by political turmoil in Italy and Spain. The single currency was above US$1.1750, having fallen to a 10-month low near US$1.15 last week. (AFP)