HONG KONG: Hong Kong stocks edged up in the opening minutes of Friday following data indicating the US jobs market was softening, giving the Federal Reserve space to pause its campaign of interest rate hikes.

The Hang Seng Index climbed 0.68 percent, or 115.62 points, to 17,160.23.

Hong Kong stocks finish higher

The Shanghai Composite Index eased 0.33 percent, or 9.90 points, to 2,978.40, and the Shenzhen Composite Index on China’s second exchange dipped 0.30 percent, or 5.42 points, to 1,819.97.