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DUBAI / Reuters
Hong Kong stocks rose for a third day, closing above the key 26,000 level for the first time in more than a month, as banks led the gains. The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.6 percent to 26,043.64 at the close. Banks accounted for the benchmark’s top three gainers, with Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. and China Construction Bank Corp. rising at least 2.5 percent to lead the rally. The Shanghai Composite Index declined 0.2 percent to cap a third day of losses, the longest streak in more than two months. Improving Chinese economic figures and earnings have helped Hong Kong’s benchmark rise every month in 2017. Gains in the gauge stalled in June after it failed to remain above the 26,000 level. That sent volatility to a two-year low before recovering this week to near the highest since November amid a rally in Chinese financial shares.