Shanghai up, Hong Kong stocks flat by break

HONG KONG: Shanghai recovered from early losses Thursday to post a modest gain by the break while Hong Kong ended the morning session virtually flat, with volumes low ahead of the New Year.

The Hang Seng Index was down by 0.1 percent, or 21.48 points, to 21,733.26.

But the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index added 0.22 percent, or 6.90 points, to 3,109.14, while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, gained 0.29 percent, or 5.66 points, at 1,978.01.