HK shares end up 1.3 pct as Ping An soars

HONG KONG, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Hong Kong shares reversed course to end 1.3 percent higher on Thursday, helped by a sharp rally in Ping An Insurance after newly-nationalised Fortis scrapped a 2.15 billion euro asset management deal with the Chinese insurer.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI unofficially closed up 238.41 points at 18,254.62 after an earlier 2.1 percent fall to a session low of 17,631.70 points.

The China Enterprises Index .HSCE of top locally listed mainland Chinese firms jumped 3 percent.

(US$1=HK$7.8)