Hong Kong's gross domestic product rose 6.2% in real terms in the third quarter on the same period last year, compared with 6.6% growth in the previous quarter by using chain volume measures, the Census & Statistics Department says.

Analysed by constituent sector and on a year-on-year comparison, net output in all service activities taken together rose 7.7% in real terms, after growth of 7.4% in the second quarter.

After a 14% rise in the second quarter, net output in the financing, insurance, real estate and business services sector grew 15% in real terms. The growth impetus came mainly from the robust performance of the financial sector, underpinned by buoyant stock market activity.

Net output in the wholesale, retail and import and export trades, restaurants and hotels sector grew 8.9% in real terms. The rise came from the continuous growth in external trade, offshore trade expansion, consumer spending and inbound tourism.

Net output in the transport, storage and communications sector rose 6.2% in real terms, due to the sustained growth in external trade. Net output in the community, social and personal services sector grew 0.6% in real terms.

Third quarter saw the fall in net output in real terms in the local manufacturing sector (-2.1%), electricity, gas and water (-0.4%) and construction (-2.5%).