THIN trade and conflicting views on Sino-British relations added up to some sharp prices swings on the stock exchange yesterday, but by the close of trade the index was down just 17.63 points.
The market started well as it digested the link-up between CITIC Pacific and Swire Pacific in Tuesday's government land auction but as the index approached 6,450 investors became more nervous and retail investors started selling.
A late rally was helped by rumours of a further positive statement on Sino-British relations by Mr Lu Ping, a stock market favourite since he put 100 points on the index last Friday.
However, the only remarks from Beijing came from Premier Li Peng after the market closed.
Allied Industries and its associate Santai were suspended after 48 minutes of trade, although this was long enough for Santai's price to rise 15.9 per cent, more than any other stock managed in the full day.
With no big news on major stocks, speculators returned to the pastime of trying to spot which company would be next to have a mainland organisation take it as a listed shell.
