Hong Kong shares ended higher on Thursday after two straight days of losses as investors regained confidence following stronger-than-expected China trade data, with the focus now turning to inflation due on Friday. The Hang Seng Index rose 0.3 per cent to 21,655.88 points, while the China Enterprises Index of the top Chinese listings in Hong Kong climbed 0.4 per cent. Shares of Chong Hing Bank and its controlling shareholder Liu Chong Hing Investment both jumped more than 17 per cent on takeover talk. China is set to release consumer and producer price data for July on Friday, which may provide further hints on the health of the world’s second-largest economy after stronger-than-expected trade data on Thursday.
