Investors welcome tests next week for Shenzhen-HK trading link

There were mounting hopes on Thursday among investors that the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect - the long-awaited equities trading link between the Shenzhen and Hong Kong bourses - which could give a hefty boost to tepid cross-border stock markets - will launch very soon.

Hong Kong and mainland stock investors were buoyed by the announcement that the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is holding a systemwide test run on Monday for stock links with Shenzhen.

A circular published on the bourse's website on Tuesday said the market tests would allow brokers in Hong Kong to get ready for the launch of the new "through train", reignited hopes of investors who have been anxiously awaiting its arrival for nearly one and a half years.