HK shares retreat after rally, but HSBC firm

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks retreated on Thursday, a day after they posted their best gain in nearly three months, but HSBC Holdings plc (0005.HK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) rose after it reported rising revenue growth, offseting its bad debt provisions.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI opened down 0.3 percent at 29,078.21.

The China Enterprises index of H shares .HSCE, or Hong Kong-listed shares in mainland companies, fell 0.4 percent at the open.

(Reporting by Rita Chang; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree)