Gold stocks posted widespread gains in morning trading. PERSISTENCE RES (02489) climbed 4.65% to HK$1.80; LINGBAO GOLD (03330) advanced 4.21% to HK$20.80; Shandong Gold (01787) rose 2.87% to HK$43.08; Zhaojin Mining (01818) gained 1.74% to HK$33.84; China Gold International (02099) edged up 0.35% to HK$144.50.