HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Hong Kong stocks posted modest gains early Wednesday, tracking higher a positive lead from U.S. and other regional markets amid optimism over the fiscal cliff negotiations. The Hang Seng Index HK:HSI +0.40% rose 0.4% to 22,589.50 and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose 0.6% to 11,371.02. Shares of heavyweight HSBC Holdings PLC HK:5 +0.56% HBC +0.25% climbed 0.7%, while China Construction Bank Corp. CICHY +0.12% HK:939 +1.12% added 1.3% and China Shenhua Energy Co. CSUAY -0.64% HK:1088 +2.15% rose 2%. On the downside, Esprit Holdings Ltd. HK:330 -4.97% ESPGY -3.60% tumbled 4.8% after issuing a profit warning. The Shanghai Composite CN:000001 -0.06% was a tad weaker at 2,161.93 in choppy session after rising for three straight sessions.
