By Chris Oliver HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Hong Kong stocks edged lower in early trading Monday, with property and finance-related stocks weaker, while utility stocks advanced amid general risk aversion following the European Union's bailout of Ireland and concerns over how markets there will react when they open later in the day. The Hang Seng Index pared back earlier losses to trade 0.1% lower at 22,862.4 while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index retreated 0.2% to 12,727.5. Cnooc's (CEO 218.49, -6.69, -2.97%) (HK:883 17.16, +0.28, +1.66%) shares fell 0.2% after it announced Sunday it will buy a 60% stake in Argentina-based Pan American Energy from BP PLC for $7.06 billion. Among the property sector, Cheung Kong Holdings' (CHEUY 14.80, 0.00, 0.00%) (HK:1 117.10, +2.30, +2.00%) shares retreated 0.9%, while Bank of Communications' (HK:3328 8.18, +0.05, +0.62%) were among the weaker financials, falling 1.1%. Among utilities, mainland-China electric producer China Resources Power (HK:836 13.30, +0.22, +1.68%) was up 1.5%, while Hong Kong coal-powered electricity plant operator CLP Holdings (HK:2 64.15, +0.80, +1.26%) (CLPHY 8.20, +0.05, +0.61%) was up 0.4%.

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