HK Hot Stocks: HSBC, Hang Seng Bk off lows ahead of earnings

HONG KONG, March 3 (Reuters) - Here are some stocks on the move in Hong Kong on Monday:

As of 0222 GMT, the blue-chip Hang Seng Index .HSI was down 2.9 percent, tracking a slide in global equities.

The index opened down 3.45 percent at 23,491.57.

The China Enterprises Index of Hong Kong-listed mainland companies .HSCE, or H shares, had dropped 3.48.

STOCKS ON THE MOVE:

* Market heavyweight and global lender HSBC Holdings plc (0005.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) sank 1.74 percent to HK$118.60, but was off its low of HK$117. Europe's biggest bank (HSBA.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is set to report a 12 percent rise in annual profit on Monday, led by strong growth in Asia, but investors will want reassurance that its U.S. housing troubles have not spread to other loans.

News on Friday that HSBC is in talks to sell about half its branches in France for $3.2 billion gave further proof of the bank's increasing focus on emerging markets, and it is expected to reinforce that message at the results. [ID:nSP200043]

HSBC-controlled Hang Seng Bank 011.HK, which is also set to release its final results on Monday, climbed into positive territory after the stock opened down 2.2 percent. It was up 0.07 percent at HK$150.20.

* Shares of China Eastern Airlines (0670.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) fell 3.37 percent to HK$4.84. The parent of Chinese flag carrier Air China (0753.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) (601111.SS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) urged China Eastern Airlines (600115.SS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Saturday to review its rejection of a proposed tie-up between the two airlines.In an advertisement in the South China Morning Post newspaper, China National Aviation Corp (CNAC) said it was still keen to realise the proposed alliance. [ID:nHKG138809]