PROFIT-TAKING after the sharp rise last week dragged the Hang Seng Index down 28.04 points, or 0.3 per cent, to close at 9,189.79 yesterday.
Turnover was $5.33 billion, dropping from the hefty 9.92 billion last Friday.
Brokers said buying interest remained strong even though the market paused for a technical consolidation after adding a substantial 885.66 points last week.
The sales director of Morgan Grenfell, David Lavington, said: 'The consolidation was expected and the selling pressure was not that great.' The index opened lower and soon picked up to the intra-day high of 9,276.72 points.
However, the upside was limited and the morning's gains were soon eroded.
The market see-sawed between 9,180 and 9,200 points to close the morning session 14.46 points, or 0.16 per cent, down at 9,203.37.
