11.   Michael Ng, dealing director of Sassoon Securities, said the market was in the midst of a consolidation after series of record closing gains.

12.   Sassoon Securities dealing director Michael Ng said earlier gains in the financial sector dwindled during the afternoon session.

13.   Sassoon Securities dealing director Michael Ng said results from New World Development, which were slightly below market expectations, helped dampen sentiment in the afternoon session.

14.   Sassoon Securities dealing director Michael Ng said the market recovered from dips early in the afternoon.

15.   Sassoon Securities dealing director Michael Ng said overseas buying of bank stocks helped lift the index.

16.   The market was led by index futures ahead of the expiry of the November contract on Wednesday, said Michael Ng, dealing director at Sassoon Securities.