Hong Kong stocks were steady on Tuesday as anxiety ahead of earning reports tempered by a rally in China's main indexes as Beijing ramped up its efforts to stabilise mainland markets. The Hang Seng index ended almost flat, down 0.02 percent at 24,406.12 points, its lowest close since July 27. The China Enterprises Index gained 0.6 percent to 11,074.92 points.
China stocks rose sharply on the day after mainland authorities announced new steps to curb short-selling with both the Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges unveiling measures to make it more difficult for speculators to profit from hourly gyrations in stock prices. Citic Securities and Huatai Securities said they would temporarily halt their short-selling services. It was followed by Great Wall Securities. Analysts said investors focus in Hong Kong turned to earning reports from bluechips, with Standard Chartered expected to release its interim earnings on Wednesday, and Kulun Energy on Thursday.