HK benchmark share index posts first weekly loss in four

HONG KONG, Aug 9 (Reuters): Hong Kong's benchmark share index had its first losing week in four, despite strength in Chinese energy companies on Friday due to higher oil prices.

The Hang Seng Index fell 0.2 per cent on Friday to 24,331.41 points. It slipped 0.8 per cent this week.

The China Enterprises Index of the leading offshore Chinese listings in Hong Kong was down 0.4 per cent on the day and 1.4 per cent on the week.

China's three largest state oil companies - PetroChina , China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation and CNOOC - climbed 1.2, 1.2 and 1.7 per cent, respectively.

China Unicom slid 1.7 per cent to close at a 4-week low. The country's second-biggest wireless carrier on last Thursday reported first-half net income lower than expectations, due to China's new value-added tax programme.