Hong Kong stocks rose for the second day on Wednesday, lifted by energy and raw materials sectors, but trading was thin as investors were cautious ahead of the European Central Bank's policy meeting on Thursday. Both the benchmark Hang Seng index and the Hong Kong China Enterprises Index added 0.6 percent, to 22,800.92 points and 9,829.58 points respectively.
Investors were awaiting the outcome of the ECB meeting as the immediate threat of financial and political instability in Italy following its referendum vote faded. Most sectors in Hong Kong firmed on Wednesday. An index tracking the energy sector advanced about 0.7 percent. China Shenhua Energy Co Ltd climbed more than 2 percent on rising coal prices. Coking coal futures in the mainland firmed over 5 percent.