Hong Kong stocks rose slightly at the open Thursday, helped by a small bounce in tech firms, though traders face severe headwinds after US inflation data exceeded forecasts and came in above nine percent for the first time in more than 40 years.

The Hang Seng Index edged up 0.10 percent to 20,818.

The Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.21 percent to 3,277, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on the mainland's second exchange also fell 0.21 percent to 2,171. (AFP)