Hong Kong stocks close higher
Hong Kong stocks finished slightly higher on Thursday despite a sharp drop in technology giants including Alibaba, with traders cheered by data showing US inflation came in below expectations last month. The Hang Seng Index rose 0.2 percent, or 34 points, to 20,344. The Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.3 percent, or 8 points, to 3,318, while the Shenzhen Composite Index slipped 0.9 percent, or 19 points, to 2,127. (AFP)