Hong Kong shares ended lower on Friday as investors took profit after strong gains earlier in the week, and following weakness overnight in US technology stocks. The Hang Seng index fell 0.6 percent, or 151.78 points, to 26,979.39 points, with losses centred in energy, technology and financial stocks.
However, the benchmark posted gains for a third straight week, up a little over 1 percent. The Hong Kong China Enterprises Index was 0.9 percent lower at 10,756.08 on Friday. For the week, it shed 0.3 percent. Insurer AIA Group, which hit a record high on Thursday, fell about 2 percent, as some investors believe the 42 percent surge in new business during the first half had already been priced in.