Hong Kong stocks end 2010 up 5.3

Hong Kong shares edged higher on Friday for a third consecutive gaining session,ending the year up 5.32 per cent but below the 10-year average gain of about 7.6 per cent.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index ended Friday up 0.16 per cent at 23,035.45 in a shortened session,posting a gain of 0.12 per cent for the month and finishing the week up 0.88 per cent,its best weekly gain in five weeks.

The China Enterprises Index of top locally listed mainland Chinese companies gained 0.84 per cent to 12,692.43,ending the year down 0.8 per cent. The index finished the month 0.98 per cent lower,but was 2 per cent higher on the week.