Hong Kong equities advanced in Thursday's morning session, with the benchmark Hang Seng Index adding 184 points to trade 0.72% higher, while the Hang Seng Tech Index gained 0.50%. Total turnover in the first half of the session reached HK$136 billion, reflecting active participation across the board.

A surge in lithium prices provided the primary catalyst for sector leadership, as the main contract for lithium carbonate broke through the RMB 158,000 per tonne threshold. TIANQI LITHIUM (09696) responded with a robust 8.8% jump, while GANFENGLITHIUM (01772) advanced more than 7%. The strength in battery materials names helped set a positive tone for the broader market.

Index-related news added another layer of interest, with the Hang Seng Index Company set to unveil its second-quarter index review results later today. Expectations that SIGENERGY (06656) could be included in the Stock Connect program sent its shares surging more than 10% in early trading.

HENDERSON LAND (00012) emerged as the top performer among blue-chip stocks, climbing more than 6%. The property developer reported interim attributable profit of HK$4.09 billion, representing a substantial 40.65% increase year-on-year, which bolstered investor confidence in the sector.

Aluminum-related equities also gathered momentum following news that Brazilian producer Alunorte would halve its production capacity. This development reinforced the narrative of rising aluminum price floors. CHINAHONGQIAO (01378) gained 3.3%, CHALCO (02600) advanced 3.2%, and CHUANGXIN IND (02788) added 1.5%.

In corporate news, CHINASOFT INT'L (00354) climbed more than 7% after posting interim attributable profit of RMB 350 million, an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. CATL (03750) rose 3.42% after announcing a strategic partnership with GDS Holdings focused on computing-power and electricity collaborative innovation.

YOFC (06869) advanced more than 4% as customs data showed July export prices for optical fiber and cable reached a year-to-date high. 3SBIO (01530) surged over 11% following the release of first-half results, with adjusted operating net profit attributable to shareholders growing 26.5% year-on-year.

HAIZHI TECH GP (02706) extended its recent rally with a further gain exceeding 4%, as analysts highlighted the company as a rare industrial-grade AI Harness play in the Hong Kong market. CHINA XLX FERT (01866) rose more than 8% after forecasting first-half net profit growth of up to 62%, with potential inclusion in the Stock Connect program viewed as a possible earnings catalyst.

DONGYUE GROUP (00189) added more than 5% in post-results trading, reporting interim attributable profit growth of over 30% year-on-year, alongside confirmation that several key projects have commenced production. On the downside, GOLDEN THROAT (06896) plunged more than 21% after issuing a profit warning, anticipating first-half net profit to decline by 40% due to increased selling expenses.