PRESS DIGEST - Hong Kong - March 17

HONG KONG, March 17 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Hong Kong newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HONG KONG ECONOMIC TIMES

-- Sixty-four percent of businesses will freeze headcount and stop hiring new workers, according to a first-quarter survey by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management.

APPLE DAILY

-- Local brokerage Taifook Securities Group (0665.HK) posted a 77 percent drop in 2008 net profit to HK$112.2 million ($14.47 million), as the global financial crisis discouraged people from investing in stocks.

MING PAO DAILY NEWS

-- Analysts expect China Mobile's (0941.HK) earnings in 2008 to exceed the 100 billion yuan ($14.6 billion) mark. The telecom giant is set to report its annual results on Thursday.

SING TAO DAILY

-- The mortgage loan market is expected to see a fresh round of competition over rates as lender Hang Seng Bank (0011.HK) launches a 90-day no-interest offer to lure customers.

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

-- The Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) has cut more than 30 jobs in Hong Kong Disneyland, as the entertainment company failed to reach an agreement with the Hong Kong government on the amusement park's expansion plans.

SING PAO

-- Hutchison Harbour Ring (0715.HK), a property investment and electronic products maker, said 2008 net profit soared 545 percent to HK$2.01 billion.

TA KUNG PAO

-- China will decide whether Cola Cola Co (KO.N) is allowed to acquire mainland juice maker China Huiyuan Juice Group (1886.HK) by Friday, a state spokesman said.

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