Hong Kong stocks fell at the opening on Friday following a tepid performance on Wall Street, even as data pointed to a slowdown in the US economy that provided the Federal Reserve room to cut interest rates.

The Hang Seng Index fell 1.33 percent, or 243.98 points, to 18,091.34.

The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.24 percent, or 7.20 points, to 2,998.24, while the Shenzhen Composite Index eased 0.33 percent, or 5.40 points, to 1,650.46. (AFP)