Stocks are higher in Hong Kong at midday after China reported that the economy, battered by the coronavirus, shrank by 6.8 percent in the first quarter. Investors had priced in the weakness in the economy. The benchmark Hang Seng Index is up by 554.08 points, or 2.31 percent at 24,560.53. In mainland China, the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index added 0.89 percent at 2,845.03. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange Composite Index is at 1,763.90, up by 1.12 percent.

Source: The Standard April 17, 2020 02:37 UTC