Hong Kong stocks on Friday dropped at the open, as investors await a highly-anticipated speech by US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell, hoping he will drop more clues about an expected interest rate cut.

The Hang Seng Index fell 119 points, or 0.68 percent, to open at 17,521.

The Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.14 percent to open at 2,844 points, while The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.34 percent lower at 8,134. (Xinhua/Agencies)