Updates to market close

By Summer Zhen

HONG KONG, May 2 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks kick started May on a strong on Thursday, after less hawkish-than-expected comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve, while Beijing vowing to step up economic support also buoyed sentiment.

The Hang Seng Index .HSI closed 2.5% higher, eighth straight day of gains, led by a rally in technology, property and financial stocks.

Chinese markets are closed for holidays from May 1-3.

Indexes tracking Hong Kong-listed Chinese tech giants .HSTECH and Chinese property developers .HSMPI surged more than 4%, each.

Hong Kong shares of Standard Chartered 2888.HK gained 6% after its first quarter profit beat forecasts.

U.S. stock and bond prices turned higher overnight after the Fed's comments were seen less hawkish than feared. Fed Chair Jerome Powell preached patience that may delay rate cuts, but also means a high bar for any more hikes.

China vowing to step up support for the economy with prudent monetary and proactive fiscal policies, including interest rates and bank reserve requirement ratios, also boosted investor sentiment.

** At the close of trade, the Hang Seng index .HSI was up 444.10 points or 2.5% at 18,207.13. The Hang Seng China Enterprises index .HSCE rose 2.6% to 6,437.09.

** The sub-index of the Hang Seng tracking energy shares .HSCIE dipped 1.5%, while the IT sector .HSCIIT rose 4.17%, the financial sector .HSNF ended 2.37% higher and the property sector rose 2.82%.

** The top gainers among H-shares were SenseTime Group Inc 0020.HK up 36.07%, followed by JD Health International Inc 6618.HK, gaining 10.68% and Meituan 3690.HK, up by 8.77%.

(Reporting by Summer Zhen; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Sohini Goswami)

((summer.zhen@thomsonreuters.com; 852-3462-7739;))