2012.05.02 11:49:21 MARKET TALK: HK March Retail Sales Value Likely +13.7% On-Yr -Poll

0949 GMT [Dow Jones] PREVIEW: Hong Kong March retail sales by value likely rose 13.7% on year vs February's 15.7 rise, according to the median forecast of five economists polled by Dow Jones. By volume, retail sales likely rose 8.0% vs February's 10.1% rise, according to the poll. "We expect the slow down in sales to intensify in the coming months, until the third quarter when sales should start to pick up on the back of stabilizing global growth. Growth in early 2012 will be challenging for retailers, as global financial market volatility and sluggish global trade momentum persist," HSBC economist Donna Kwok says. The government is scheduled to release the data at 0830 GMT Thursday. (chester.yung@dowjones.com) Contact us in Singapore. 65 64154 140; MarketTalk@dowjones.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires May 02, 2012 05:49 ET (09:49 GMT)