Around the World's Markets: HONG KONG

WALL STREET'S record Monday close pushed Hong Kong stocks to their highest levels in almost 18 months. The Hang Seng index closed 154.95 points higher at 11,899.69, having earlier hit an intra-day high of 11,956.43.

Howard Gorges, a director at South China Brokerage, said: "The blue-chips are doing well and there is interest in second-line counters and companies announcing corporate news." Dealers said further gains were likely to be capped at 12,000.