Around the World's Markets: Hong Kong

THE HANG SENG index rose 200.42 to 9,858.49, closing just below the day's high, again encouraged by futures trading.

HSBC led the way, gaining 5 to HK$218.00 on talk of US investors buying the stock in anticipation of a share split and New York listing. Most banks also moved higher but FPB bank was down a touch after worse than expected results. Reports of a planned Disney theme park also boosted sentiment.