Around the World's Markets: Hong Kong

LEADING SHARES closed higher following Wall Street's lead and ahead of expected solid profits from two of Hong Kong's bluest blue chips.

The Hang Seng index closed up 129.25 points - 0.96 per cent - at 13,608.38. "The market was supported by the overnight US market," said one analyst.

But investors got nervous and started selling when the market pushed too close to 13,800, pulling the Hang Seng down from its intra-day high of 13,683.38.