Hong Kong shares finished firmer on Tuesday, with the benchmark index rising for a fourth consecutive day as investors continued searching for high yields.

The mood in the Hong Kong market has been buoyed by a flood of capital pouring in from the mainland since last week, as investors there actively hunt for yields in a low-interest rate environment.

Chinese investors are also trying to get a head start on buying Hong Kong shares ahead of the expected November launch of a cross-border investment link between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Some analysts pointed out that investors have become cautious after the key index hit a series of one-year highs in recent days.