HSI ends up 6 pts at 22,826; turnover at HK$68bn

    Hong Kong stocks closed little changed on Thursday 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 up 6 points or 0.03% to 22,826. The H-share index fell 6 points or 0.1% to 9,500. Turnover increased to HK$68 billion from HK$62 billion on Wednesday. The closing auction session registered turnover of HK$2.34 billion.
  The northbound quota balance of the "Shanghai-HK Connect" program was RMB12.475 billion, accounting for 96% of the daily allowed quota of RMB13 billion. The southbound quota balance was RMB9.157 billion, accounting for 87% of the daily allowed quota of RMB10.5 billion.
  Galaxy Entertainment (00027) reversed its early weak tone, rising 2% to HK$26.35 as its interim earnings growth of 26% came in better than market expectations. Wynn Macau (01128) slid 4% to HK$11.46. Sands China (01928) declined 1.2% to HK$30.15. 
  Mengniui Dairy (02319) soared 12% to HK$14.58 becoming top blue-chip gainer. The company expects its dairy products sales to see 2-digit growth in second half of 2016.
  Market participants expect Yellen's speech to be hawkish this time, raising hopes of rate hike. Gold-mining stocks were lower. Lingbao Gold (03330) declined 3.9% to HK$1.72. (01818) dropped 2.6% to HK$8.39. Zijin Mining (02899) fell 1.8% to HK$2.73.