Hong Kong's stock market tumbled Monday to its lowest point in more than a decade as investors await key US jobs data, while girding themselves for a corporate earnings season many fear will highlight the impact of surging inflation and interest rates.

The Hang Seng Index shed 0.83 percent, or 143.32 points, to close at 17,079.51.

But crucially it crossed below the 17,000 level in the afternoon, touching a nadir not seen since October 2011 and the aftermath of the global financial crash and during the eurozone debt crisis.

The Hang Seng Index has lost more than 25 percent so far this year.

Mainland Chinese markets are closed for a week-long holiday. (AFP)