*A-shares tepid despite strong China February exports. *Two China coal stocks in Hong Kong up more than 4 pct. HONG KONG, March 8- Strong Friday gains helped nudge Hong Kong shares into positive territory for the week, with growth-sensitive counters buoyed by Wall Street gains and by hopes that coming Chinese data will further confirm the economy is picking up.
LONDON, Feb 27- European option investors have sought protection against a further 5 percent stock market slide in the coming weeks after an Italian election that threatened political stalemate and more market uncertainty.
Feb 27- Target Corp on Wednesday offered a cautious outlook for consumer spending in 2013 following a weak holiday quarter and said it was on track with its massive Canadian store opening plans this year. "We have a tempered view of the near-term sales environment," he said, adding that shoppers, or "guests" as Target calls them, are "quite resilient."