Hong Kong stocks to rally in 2010 on China stimulus

(Reuters) - Hong Kong shares will likely rally in the first half of 2010 on hopes that China will maintain the massive stimulus spending program launched last year, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday. The benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI, one of the best performing stock markets in the world so far this year, will eke out mild gains in the fourth-quarter to finish 2009 at 22,000 points, as investors pause after a blistering nine-month rally, the poll of over 20 analysts taken over the last week said.The index could post a full-year gain of over 50 percent in 2009, which would be its best in a decade and a remarkable turnaround from huge losses in 2008, when investors shunned stocks after the global financial crisis.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BM36K20091223