Despite uncertainties on interest rates and oil prices during 2005, about 70 companies would be listed on the main board and the Growth Enterprise Market this year and funds raised could reach HK$192 billion.

Despite uncertainties on interest rates and oil prices during 2005, about 70 companies would be listed on the Main Board and Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) this year and the amount of fund raised could reach 192 billion Hong Kong dollars (24.61 billion U.S. dollars).

About 70 companies were listed on the Hong Kong Main Board and Growth Enterprise Market (GEM).

These results were contributed by the return of investors' interests on the equity market towards the end of 2005, and fund raising by large state-owned enterprises.

The dollar is a mess, interest rates appear to be on the rise, oil prices are going up and some earnings are looking weaker - it all adds up to bad news. I'm taking some profits on certain stocks, but it's not time to go running for the exits just yet.

Investors are more sensitive to negative headlines after seeing interest rates and oil prices rise.