HK shares set for softer start; CCB in focus

HONG KONG, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks are set for a
weaker start on Friday, as a drop in oil prices could weigh on
energy stocks including PetroChina (0857.HK) (601857.SS), while
weaker overseas markets may hurt sentiment.

China Construction Bank (0939.HK) (CCB) will be in focus amid
news that the lender is in talks to buy control of Taifook
Securities (0665.HK) to give it a solid footing in Hong Kong's
lucrative retail securities market, a source close to the deal
told Reuters on Thursday. [ID:nHKG21011].

Chinese property developer Mingfa Group (0846.HK) will also
be eyed on its market debut, after the firm priced its shares at
a level lower than the mid-point of its indicated range.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI fell 1.01 percent, or
229.64 points, to 22,397.57 on Thursday, snapping a four-day
rally.

The China Enterprise Index .HSCE of top locally listed
mainland Chinese stocks fell 1.01 percent to 13,324.99.

STOCKS TO WATCH:

* China Strategic (0235.HK) said it was understood that
agents of Nan Shan had made a request for the full and immediate
return of their provident funds but no agreement had yet been
reached. Press articles reported that Nan Shan employees demand
settlement of the HK$3.45 billion provident funds prior to the
completion of the acquisition of Nan Shan by China Strategic. For
statement please click
here

* Brightoil Petroleum (0933.HK) said it would team with
Changxing Island Investment to set up a 60 percent owned venture
for the construction and operation of a wharf project in Dalian,
Liaoning province with total investment amounting to $98 million.
For statement please click
here

* China's offshore oil and gas specialist CNOOC Ltd
(0883.HK) has shut down operations at the BZ25-1 south oilfields
from Nov. 10 due to strong winds in the Bohai Bay area, the
company said on Thursday. [ID:nPEK20538]
----------------------MARKET SNAPSHOT @ 2300 GMT ------------

INSTRUMENT LAST PCT CHG NET CHG
S&P 500 .SPX 1087.24 -1.03% -11.270
USD/JPY JPY= 90.38 0.04% 0.040
10-YR US TSY YLD US10YT=RR 3.4438 -- -0.034
SPOT GOLD XAU= 1102.7 -0.08% -0.900
US CRUDE CLc1 76.79 -0.19% -0.150
DOW JONES .DJI 10197.47 -0.91% -93.79
-------------------------------------------------------------
> Wall St falls on energy shares, consumer worries [.N]
> Dollar gains broadly as risk appetite fades [USD/]
> Prices climb after 30Y note sales, Wall St dip [US/]
> Gold retreats from record as dollar recovers [GOL/]
> Oil falls nearly 3 pct on U.S. inventories, dollar [O/R]

(Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee, Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)