AFP (31/12/) -- Hong Kong stocks closed 0.26 percent higher in holiday-shortened trade on Tuesday, finishing a mixed year on a shiny note following another record close for the Dow upon Wall Street.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index ended 61.52 points higher at 23,306.39 upon turnover of HK$30.62 billion ($3.95 billion). The index finished the year 2.87 percent up from its 2012 close.
Dealers took heart from the Dow's record close, with the market jumping 0.16 percent, its fourth all-time high in the past five sessions and the 51st of the year.
However, while the Hang Seng ended in certain territory it lagged other big bourses, with the Nikkei in Tokyo 57 percent higher over the year, Sydney up 15 percent and the Dow more than 27 percent higher.
The index endured a mixed year, with its closeness to the mainland Chinese market dragging upon its performance after it was hit by liquidity crises in June and December.
For the year, the biggest winners for the year were casino stocks and China tech companies. Galaxy Entertainment soared 127 percent while Sands China was up 84 percent to become the third-best performer.
Internet firm Tencent nearly doubled to sit close the HK$500 level.
Among the huge losers was China Coal Energy, which lost 48 percent, while China Shenhua Energy and Hong Kong merchandiser Li & Fung each lost about a third of their value.