MW: Hong Kong shares pulled lower by Chinese banks
By V. Phani Kumar
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Hong Kong shares declined for a third straight session in early trading Thursday, tracking U.S. stocks lower although mainland Chinese stocks' advance for a fifth straight session limited losses. The Hang Seng Index fell 0.3% to 22,781.85, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index dropped 0.6% to 13,610.66. Chinese banks came under selling pressure after Citigroup said robust loan growth was putting pressure on capital, with Bank of China Ltd. (HK:3988 4.75, -0.08, -1.66%) (BACH.Y 15.69, -0.36, -2.24%) falling 0.8% and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. (HK:1398 6.89, -0.13, -1.85%) falling 0.9%. The Shanghai Composite Index, meanwhile, rose 0.6% to 3,322.35.
