Esprit Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa, Hong Kong's top two companies in terms of revenue exposure to Europe, both hit 52-week lows on Thursday as the continent's debt crisis continued to cast its pall.

Esprit was ranked the "least preferred" stock in Asia by Morgan Stanley in a research report. The clothing retailer has 79.1 percent of its revenue exposed to developed Europe.

Esprit shares fell to a year low of HKD8.13 (USD1.04) in trading on Thursday, but finished with a loss of 33 HK cents or 3.68 percent at HKD8.63.

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