HSI ends up 198 pts at 26,862 midday; turnover at HK$41bn

   Hong Kong stocks closed higher on Thursday morning session despite the slight drop of the Dow overnight after Fed's Beige Book shows many businesses lowering outlooks. The blue-chip index opened up 144 points to 26,809 and briefly rose 292 points to an intra-day high of 26,956. It pared its gains to 165 points at one stage, hitting an intra-day low of 26,729.
  The Hang Seng Index ended up 198 points or 0.7% to 26,862. The H-share index rose 41 points or 0.4% to 10,574. Half-day turnover decreased to HK$41.1 billion from HK$45.3 billion on Wednesday.  
  Blue chips were mostly higher. HSBC (00005) jumped 1.3% to HK$60.9. HKEX (00388) edged down 0.3% to HK$235.4. Tencent (00700) edged up 0.1% to HK$331.4. China Mobile (00941) rose 1.2% to HK$65.9 even though Morgan Stanley rated the stock "underweight". AIA (01299) put on 1.5% to HK$76.15.
  Property counters were higher as the government plans to add more housing units in the coming years. New World Development (00017) jumped 4.3% to HK$11.22. Sun Hung Kai Properties (00016) gained 2.5% to HK$118.1. CK Assets (01113) added 1.8% to HK$54.6. Kerry Properties (00683) rose 1.8% to HK$25.2. Henderson Land (00012) ascended 3.1% to HK$39.45. Sino Land (00083) inched up 0.3% to HK$12.3.