HSI ends up 221 pts at 22,719 midday; T/O at HK$34bn

    HK stocks closed modestly higher on Thursday morning session following the rally of European equity markets overnight. The US markets closed flat ahead of Thanksgiving holidays. The benchmark index opened up 251 points at 22,749. It briefly rose as much as 289 points to 22,787.
  By midday, the Hang Seng Index ended up 221 points or 1% to 22,719. The H-share index rose 71 points or 0.7% to 10,199. Half-day turnover reduced slightly to HK$34 billion from HK$35 billion on Wednesday.
  The northbound quota balance of the "Shanghai-HK Connect" program was RMB12.719 billion, accounting for 97.8% of the daily allowed quota of RMB13 billion. By 11:31 a.m., the southbound quota balance was RMB10.273 billion, accounting for 97.8% of the daily allowed quota of RMB10.5 billion. 
  Tencent (00700) put on 1% to HK$157.6.
  Kunlun Energy (00135) and PetroChina (00857) soared 3% and 1% to HK$6.95 and HK$5.81 after PetroChina agreed to sell Kunlun Gas to Kunlun Energy. 
  Comba Telecom (02342) wins bid from China Mobile (00941). Comba rose 2% to HK$1.52, while China Mobile gained 1% to HK$91.1.
  Lenovo (00992) fell 2% to HK$8.49. It was the worst blue-chip performer this morning.
  Property counters were chased, with both Henderson Land (00012) and Wharf (00004) rising 2% to HK$49.85 and HK$46.5. BYD (01211) dipped 4% to HK$42.65 after Morgan Stanley's target price downgrade.