STMicroelectronics' Milan-listed stock extended gains, rising about 4% intraday.

WHO Director-General Tedros said on social media on June 28 that since June 21 Europe has recorded more than 1,300 excess deaths linked to high temperatures. Excess deaths are the difference between estimated total deaths for a place and period and expected deaths absent a health crisis.

After a >1,200-point drop last week, the Hang Seng opened higher and rallied to reclaim the 23,000 level, rising about 400 points intraday. At the midday close the Hang Seng Index was up 2.12% at 23,153.43 and the Hang Seng Tech Index rose 3.68% to 4,412.23; market turnover was HKD172.93 billion. Healthcare led gains, with innovative-drug names strongest; internet and gaming stocks also outperformed. Electronic components and optical-communications names lagged. Notable movers: White Dove Online (02672.HK) +317.95% (midday), Yaojie Ankang-B (02617.HK) +39.56%, Hengrui Medicine (01276.HK) +7.84%; Lenovo Group (00992.HK) -9.64%, Yangtze Optical Fibre & Cable (06869.HK) -8.22%.