Hong Kong stocks retreated at the open of business Tuesday, dragged by a drop in tech firms, as traders struggled to keep up with a rally on Wall Street.

The Hang Seng Index slipped 0.45 percent to 18,016.

The Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.08 percent to 3,140, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on China's second exchange lost 0.10 percent to 1,951. (AFP)