Hong Kong: Index jumps 1.96pc

SHARES jumped 1.96 per cent yesterday, in line with a regional advance, after the Dow on Wall Street finished at a more than five-year high.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 443.26 points to 23,020.27, its second-biggest percentage gain of the year so far.

Ben Kwong, chief operating officer at KGI Asia, said he was "optimistic about market direction in March".

Citic Pacific jumped 7.6 per cent to HK$11.92, China Overseas Land closed up 3.3 per cent at HK$23.55, and China Resources Land added 3.7 percent to HK$22.65. AFP