HK property agent Midland hits 28-month high on profit forecast

** Shares of property agent Midland Holdings Ltd rise as much as 12.9% to HK$1.75, their highest since February 2019

** Stock on course for the best day since Nov. 24; the ninth-biggest percentage gainer on the Hong Kong bourse

** Co expects a net profit for the six months ending June compared to HK$24 mln ($3.1 mln) loss a year ago ()

** Attributes performance to an increase in market share in Hong Kong and a rebound in the residential property market

** Says it recorded a net profit of HK$160 mln in the first five months of 2021

** The Hong Kong Hang Seng sub-index tracking property firms

eases 0.3%, while the benchmark index climbs 0.5%

** As of last close, stock had soared 109.5% this year