HK stocks rise, PetroChina and Hutchison up

HONG KONG, May 15 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks rose on
Thursday, tracking firmer regional markets after U.S. economic
data eased inflation worries, with PetroChina (0857.HK: Quote, Profile, Research) and
Hutchison (0013.HK: Quote, Profile, Research) leading the rise.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI opened up 0.73 percent
at 25,719.02 points. The China Enterprises Index of Hong
Kong-listed mainland companies .HSCE, or H shares, had risen
1.04 percent to 14,125.62 by 0202 GMT.

PetroChina was among the top gainers with a 2 percent rise to
HK$11.12. Hutchsion's shares rose 2.79 percent to HK$81.15 after
Citi upgraded the ports-to-telecom conglomerate to buy from hold
on improved earnings prospects.
(US$1=HK$7.8)
(Reporting by Donny Kwok; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree)