Hong Kong stocks close flat

Hong Kong shares ended flat on Friday as profit-taking offset data out of China showing manufacturing expanded in January.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index eased 7.69 points to 23,721.84 on turnover of HK$70.56 billion.

The loss comes after the market climbed to a fresh 21-month high earlier in the week.

China’s official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) came in at 50.4 in January, slightly down from 50.6 in the previous month but still indicating growth.

via Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/money/stock-talk/article/1141192/hong-kong-stocks-close-flat