Hong Kong Stocks Edge Up, Regional Markets Slip

Hong Kong shares were slightly higher after the morning session on Friday following a five-day sell-off, but gains were tempered by concerns about the global economy.

The Hang Seng Index added 0.1 percent, to 29,583 by the break.

Across the border, the Shanghai Composite Index lost another 0.8 percent, to 3,099, while the Shenzhen Composite Index gave up 1 percent, to 1,671.

Most other Asian markets fell with investors treading carefully with analysts pointing to an economic divergence between the US and the rest of the world.

"While positive earning numbers have lent massive support to US equities, it's hard to ignore the inescapable fact that we are back to the divergent economic narrative where the US economy is on fire while ice water continued to pour over the rest of the globe," said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management.

Tokyo ended the morning down 0.7 percent, Seoul shed 0.4 percent and Singapore added 0.1 percent.

There were also losses in Taipei, Wellington and Jakarta. (AFP)

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