RETAIL stocks had mixed fortunes yesterday, featuring in both the top 10 gainers' and the top 10 losers' lists. Garment retailer Goldlion Holdings recovered from Wednesday's weakness to become the day's second-biggest percentage gainer, forging ahead 17.5 cents, or 8.24 per cent, to $2.30, as 7.28 million shares - the ninth-highest volume of the day - worth $16.38 million, changed hands. Goldlion shed 22.5 cents to $2.12 on Wednesday. Jusco Stores, another retail stock, also fared well as the day's fifth-best performer in terms of percentage gain. It soared eight cents, or 5.59 per cent, to $1.51, as 218,000 shares were traded generating turnover of $326,280. Casual garment retailer Giordano Holdings, however, continued on its losing streak as the third-biggest loser. It dived 30 cents, or 8.57 per cent, to $3.20 on turnover of $882,500, with 271,000 shares changing hands. Giordano lost 22.5 cents, or 6.04 per cent, to $3.50 on Wednesday. Like Goldlion, Giordano is a China-concept stock with extensive plans on the mainland. However, its China ventures have yet to prove profitable. In yesterday's lazy market, second and third-line stocks appeared to fare better than blue chips. The Vickers Ballas Smaller Companies' Index advanced 27.85 points, or 1.04 per cent, to 2,696.55, compared with the Hang Seng Index gain of 0.56 per cent. Holian Investment plummeted yesterday on the heels of its announcement of a $87 million rights issue. It shed three cents, or 8.57 per cent, to 32 cents on turnover of $712,397 and trading volume of 2.2 million shares. H-share Yizheng Chemical was the most active stock in terms of volume, with 21.11 million shares dealt, churning out turnover of $49.87 million. It gained 7.5 cents, or 3.30 per cent, to $2.35. Allied Group was also busy, up four cents, or four per cent, to $1.04, as 11.63 million shares worth $12.22 million changed hands. Allied Properties (Hong Kong) edged up five cents, or 2.81 per cent, to $1.83, on volume of 8.37 million shares, equivalent to turnover of $15.38 million. Harbour Ring dipped two cents, or 1.24 per cent, to $1.59 on volume of 11.02 million shares, generating turnover of $17.76 million. Paliburg International put on 30 cents, or 5.17 per cent, to $6.10, as the day's ninth-best percentage performer. It saw turnover of $11.93 million as 1.98 million shares were traded. Rivera (Holdings) continued its winning streak, putting on two cents, or 5.2 per cent, to 40.5 cents on turnover of $4.81 million as 11.83 million shares were traded. Rivera gained 4.5 cents, or 13.24 per cent, to 38.5 cents on Wednesday. Fu Hui Jewellery Co, which has a stake in Li Ka-shing's property project in Fuzhou, in the southern Fujian province, lost five cents, or 5.49 per cent, to 86 cents and was one of the day's heaviest losers. The firm posted thin turnover of $51,600 as 60,000 shares were traded. Trading records released by the stock exchange yesterday revealed that Novel Enterprises repurchased 28,000 ordinary shares at $1.67 each on Wednesday.
