Hong Kong traders head for Merry Christmas after gains

HONG KONG: Hong Kong stocks headed into the Christmas break with healthy gains on Friday, in line with an Asian rally following positive lead from Wall Street.

The Hang Seng Index added 0.72 percent, or 210.95 points, to close at 29,578.01.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.09 percent, or 3.00 points, to 3,297.06 and the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, eased 0.18 percent, or 3.49 points, to 1,901.56.