Shanghai Gold Exchange gold T+D rose 1.02 pct to 976.38 yuan/gram at the close of the Aug 20 (Thu) evening session; silver T+D rose 2.28 pct to 16,535.0 yuan/kg.

A-share innovative-drug sector opened sharply higher after Moderna jumped 177% overnight when it and Merck said a melanoma vaccine met the primary endpoint in a large trial. Hansen Pharma and Ha Sanlian posted second straight daily limit-ups. Haixin, Zhongguancun, Laimei Pharma, Watson Bio, Jiankai Technology, Shuanglu Pharma, Kangchen Pharma and Yuekang hit daily price limits. Sanyuan Gene rose >20%; Zhifei Bio and Shiyao Innovation gained >15%; Xinkaiyuan, Anke Biotech and Kangtai Biotech rallied >10%.

港股房地產股走強，龍湖集團(00960.HK)漲超7%，萬科企業(02202.HK)、綠城中國(03900.HK)、中國海外發展(00688.HK)、越秀地產(00123.HK)、華潤置地(01109.HK)均漲超5%。