Hong Kong stocks end with healthy gains

Hong Kong stocks finished Tuesday on a healthy note, in line with a rally across most Asian markets, on renewed optimism over the global recovery with US jobs data later in the week in focus.

The Hang Seng Index climbed 1.1 percent, or 316 points, to 29,468, on turnover of HK$157 billion.

Tech plays continued to impress, with Meituan finishing nearly 6.5 percent higher and Alibaba up almost 3.5 percent.

Across the border, mainland shares also headed north.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.3 percent to 3,624, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on the mainland’s second exchange added 0.4 percent to 2,429.57.

Japan’s Nikkei gave up early gains as investors cashed in on recent rallies, ending down 0.2 percent, and Australia stocks dipped 0.3 percent.

But markets in Taiwan and South Korea were each up more than half a percent. (Additional reporting by AFP)