Hong Kong stocks closed higher Thursday as investors awaited key U.S. labor data and monitored developments in the Middle East.

The Hang Seng Index rose by around 174.01 points, or roughly 0.8%, to end at 23,055.03, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index increased by 54.18 points, or 0.7%, to end at 7,612.48.

Investors are awaiting the release of the U.S. non-farm payrolls data for clues on the Federal Reserve's stance on rate hikes.

The U.S. economy is expected to have added 110,000 jobs in June, with unemployment remaining steady at 4.3%, according to a median estimate of economists polled by Reuters.

Elsewhere, representatives from Iran and the U.S. concluded a round of indirect talks in Doha with no sign that any progress had been made towards ending their conflict permanently, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, the Hang Seng Index was among the worst performers globally during the first half of 2026, dropping 11% in the six months to end June and underperforming most of the world's key equity benchmarks, including the S&P 500 and the Nikkei 225, the South China Morning Post reported.

The tech-focused Hang Seng Tech Index declined even further during the period, down 19% by end June, the report said.

In corporate news, Anker Innovations (HKG:0668; SHE:300866) had a strong debut in Hong Kong after shares closed at HK$114.90 each, 16% higher than the initial public offer price of HK$99.32.