Around the World's Markets: Hong Kong

STOCKS CLOSED higher for the ninth successive day, propelled by demand for Hutchison Whampoa. The Hang Seng index closed up 2.39 per cent at 15,073.10.

Hutchison was buoyed by news overnight that Vodafone AirTouch was set to raise its bid for Mannesmann, in which Hutchison holds a 10.2 per cent stake. Investors also sought out Hutchison's parent, Cheung Kong (Holdings), further boosting the blue-chip index.