China's Bank of Communications (stock code: 601328), the country's fifth-largest lender, posted a 42 percent rise in first-half earnings on Thursday, in line with analysts expectations and driven by a surge in lending and fee-based income.

Bank of Communications, which is 18.6 percent owned by HSBC Holding Plc., earned 8.56 billion yuan (US$1.13 billion) in the first-half, compared with 6.03 billion yuan same period last year.

On average, four analysts polled by Reuters were expecting a profit of 8.58 billion yuan.

Hong Kong shares in Bank of Communications closed 3.06 percent weaker at HK$7.91 ahead of the results on Thursday amid a broad market rout. Its A shares dropped 4.9 percent to 12.62 yuan.