Around the World's Markets: Hong Kong

THE MARKET ended a four-day losing streak to close higher after a local bank surprised investors with better-than-expected first-half earnings. The Hang Seng closed up 208.57 points, 1.62 per cent, at 13,075.09.

Bank of East Asia provided the surprise with interim profits up 3.7 per cent, ahead of forecasts. "As the Bank of East Asia has the most exposure to China, analysts will take this as an indication for other banks," said Ben Kwong, associate director of KGI Asia.