Hong Kong stocks closed little changed Thursday as Chinese banks rose on hopes of strong earnings and export-related shares slipped on analyst downgrades, AP reported. The blue-chip Hang Seng Index ended 15.97 points, or 0.7 percent, higher at 21,821.78, after fluctuating in and out of positive terrain through the day. The market held up relatively well compared to mainland Chinese and U.S. stocks, which dropped sharply in their latest sessions. The Hong Kong benchmark was partly bouncing from its 3.2 percent sell-off on Tuesday, analysts said.
