Hong Kong Shares Sink In Morning Session

Hong Kong stocks ended Friday morning in negative territory, extending recent losses as investors await the release of Chinese trade data.

The Hang Seng Index fell 0.4 percent, or 107 points, to 29,732.

The new readings will come after a run of positive releases from Beijing including forecast-beating factory activity and a jump in inflation.

"Recent improvements in China activity data... expectations of further feed-through from policy stimulus to the real economy and signs of some partial form of US-China trade truce have all given rise to a more bullish China sentiment," said Jasslyn Yeo, global market strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management.

With Wall Street providing a weak lead, Asian equities were mixed in early trade.

Singapore, Wellington and Manila each dipped 0.1 percent, while Shanghai was barely moved. Tokyo finished the morning 0.6 percent higher while Sydney added 0.6 percent, Seoul gained 0.2 percent and Taipei was slightly higher. (AFP)