HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - Share prices finished the morning higher led by mainland financials after China Life Insurance, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Bank of China reported strong 2007 earnings.
China Life, the mainland's top insurer, reported nearly 95 pct rise in 2007 net profit, while ICBC -- China's biggest commercial bank -- announced 65.5 pct increase in annual net profit.

Bank of China managed to achieve 31 pct rise in 2007 net profit despite making a 1.3 bln usd provision for subprime-related investments. The bank announced that it has cut its subprime exposure substantially.

Henderson Investment soared over 57 pct on talk that Henderson Land may either inject some assets into the unit or take it private.

Dealers said the market's gains were capped due to continuing concerns over the US economy.

Study: One Coloradan Dies Each Day Due To No Health Insurance

A new report by a national health-care advocacy group said one person dies each day in Colorado because they don't have health insurance.

Catholic Vote Critical For Dems In Pa.

Understanding Pennsylvania's rich Catholic tradition and responding to it is an article of faith for Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama as the April 22 primary looms in the still unsettled and intense Democratic presidential race.

It's a way of life _ and of thinking _ well-known to the people of Scranton, a working-class city nestled in northeast Pennsylvania where earlier generations worked in the factories, mills and coal mines _ and kneeled in prayer in Catholic church pews on Sunday morning.

On Election Day of yesteryear, large numbers of Pennsylvania Catholics evoked the name of Franklin D. Roosevelt and voted Democratic.

This year, Clinton has fared well among Catholic voters in early primary states and she holds a substantial lead over Obama among Catholic Democrats in Pennsylvania polls.