Hong Kong stocks recoup from 7-week low; Orient Overseas jumps 21%

Sentiment across Asia was upbeat after stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data.

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A photographer takes a picture of an intraday chart of the benchmark Hang Seng Index at a brokerage in Hong Kong. REUTERS

Hong Kong equities recouped from a seven-week low, led by Orient Overseas International after China Cosco Shipping sealed a deal to buy logistics firm for $6.3 billion.

At 0520 GMT, the benchmark Hang Seng Index jumped 1.1 percent or 274 points to 25,615.

Ping An Insurance rose 2.9 percent to a June 2015 high, while China Life Insurance Co. climbed 2.5 percent.

Orient Overseas International climbed 21 percent while Cosco Shipping added 1 percent to the highest since December 2015. The Shanghai Composite Index declined 0.1 percent at the local midday trading break.

Sentiment across Asia was upbeat after stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data reinforced optimism of another rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.5 percent, the most since June 29, after hitting a five-week low Friday.

Meanwhile U.S. stocks rebounded from the biggest selloff since May on Friday after data showed U.S. non-farm payrolls jumped by 222,000 jobs last month, beating expectations of a 179,000 gain.

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