Hong Kong stocks climbed to a near 20-month high on Tuesday, bolstered by continued inflows from Chinese investors and signs of global economic recovery. The benchmark Hang Seng index rose for a fourth straight day, adding 0.4 percent to end at 24,593.12, its highest close since July 31, 2015. The Hong Kong China Enterprises Index gained 0.6 percent, to 10,644.15. The Hang Seng has become the world's best-performing major equity index this year, having gained nearly 12 percent.
That compares with a roughly 5 percent gain in China's benchmark index, and a 6 percent advance in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
"I think we can call it a bull market, although the pace of gains will likely be slow as the general mood is still cautious. It's a slow bull," said Alex Wong, Hong Kong-based director at Ample Finance Group.
Inflows from the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect were 24.5 percent of Tuesday's daily quota, compared with an average of about 18 percent in February and 11 percent in January. Most sectors rose in Hong Kong, with an index tracking mainland property plays rebounding 3 percent following the previous day's slump due to fresh property curbs in China.