As Sars rise stalls, shares post gains

Hong Kong stocks clawed back some of their recent losses yesterday as markets across the region rallied after the World Heath Organisation signalled the Sars outbreak may have peaked in Hong Kong and most Asian countries. The Hang Seng Index ended the day up 3.67 per cent at 8744.22 points, its biggest one-day gain in six months.

South Korea's Kospi Index soared 4.98 per cent, Singapore's Straits Times Index jumped 3.51 per cent, and Taiwan's Weighted Index gained 1.47 per cent. But fears remain about the spread of Sars on the mainland, and its markets bucked the rising trend.