HSI ends down 12 pts at 22,808 midday; T/O at HK$40bn

    Hong Kong stocks closed little changed on Thursday morning session in cautious trade following the softer close of the US equity markets overnight. The benchmark Hang Seng Index (HSI) opened down 6 points to 22,814, and fell as much as 85 points to an intra-day low of 22,735 at one stage.
  Investors adopted wait-and-see attitude ahead of Fed Chair Janet Yellen's speech at Jackson Hole Policy Symposium, scheduled on 26 August.
  The HSI ended down 12 points or 0.1% to 22,808. The H-share index rose 8 points or 0.1% to 9,515. Half-day turnover increased to HK$40 billion from HK$33.9 billion on Wednesday.
  The northbound quota balance of the "Shanghai-HK Connect" program was RMB12.688 billion, accounting for 97.6% of the daily allowed quota of RMB13 billion. At 11:30 a.m., the southbound quota balance was RMB9.868 billion, accounting for 94% of the daily allowed quota of RMB10.5 billion.
  Oil prices slid 3%, weighing on oil majors. PetroChina (00857) dipped 1% to HK$5.21 after it reported 1H net plunged 98% to Rmb531 million. CNOOC (00883) reported interim loss of Rmb7.7 billion. It also slipped 1% to HK$9.5.
  Mengniui Dairy (02319) said its half-year earnings grew 20% to Rmb1.1 billion. The share jumped 7.7% to HK$14.02 becoming top blue-chip gainer in the morning. Deutsche Bank rated it "buy". Ausnutria (01717) added 1% to HK$2.9 after it disclosed plan to buy Australian nutritional products firm.
  Chinese banks also saw buying support. CCB (00939) climbed 1.4% to HK$5.82. Bankcomm (03328) was unchanged at HK$5.72. Both banks will report their earnings later today. ICBC (01398) gained 1.2% to HK$4.96.
  Sino Land (00083) fell 2.5% to HK$13.5 after its 1H net fell 24% to HK$7.1 billion.
  Macau gaming players saw selling pressure. Galaxy Entertainment (00027) weakened 1.6% to HK$25.4. Sands China (01928) declined 2.8% to HK$29.65. It was the worst blue-chip loser in the morning.