HSI ends down 221 pts at 26,048; turnover at HK$78.4bn

   HK stocks closed weaker on Thursday despite the 240-point rally of the Dow overnight on strong retail data. The blue-chip index opened up 2 points to 26,272 and briefly rose to a day high of 26,288 (up 18 points). It then reversed its uptrend and saw its losses widen to 292 points in the afternoon trade, hitting a day low of 25,977.
  The Hang Seng Index ended down 221 points or 0.8% to 26,048. The H-share index fell 54 points or 0.5% to 10,122. Turnover increased to HK$78.4 billion from HK$75.1 billion on Wednesday. 
  Blue chips were mixed. HSBC (00005) dipped 0.6% to HK$56.85 on talks that it plans to buy part of Aviva's Asian business. HKEX (00388) dipped 1.1% to HK$251.6. Tencent (00700) edged down 0.5% to HK$331. China Mobile (00941) sank 1.1% to HK$66.25. AIA (01299) slipped 1.6% to HK$76.25.
  Hong Kong & China Gas (00003) shed 3.6% to HK$15.62 after yesterday's plunge of 5% on weaker interim earnings. CLP Holdings (00002) retreated 1.2% to HK$81.5. Power Assets (00006) declined by 0.6% to HK$54.05.
  BYD (01211) plunged 6.6% to HK$40.35 despite its interim earnings doubled. But Geely Automobile (00175) soared 7.6% to HK$11.88 even though its interim net decreased 40%.
  Property counters were pressured. New World Development (00017) lost 1.6% to HK$10.06. Hang Lung Properties (00101) shed 1.1% to HK$17.8. Sun Hung Kai Properties (00016) dipped 1.8% to HK$114.3. Henderson Land (00012) dipped 3.2% to HK$37.55. Sino Land (00083) fell 2.5% to HK$11.6. Kerry Properties (00683) declined by 2.2% to HK$28.5. CK Asset (01113) slid 2.1% to HK$54.25.