Hong Kong Shares Slip, Regional Bourses Positive

Hong Kong stocks ended the morning session slightly lower on Friday after the mainland's export data missed expectations and the city's de facto central bank was forced to step in to currency markets.

The Hang Seng Index dipped 0.1 percent, to 30,807.

On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.3 percent, to 3,171, while the Shenzhen Composite Index added 0.2 percent, to 1,837.

Most other Asian markets gained as Donald Trump soothed concerns about military action in Syria while also sparking hopes the US could rejoin a massive Pacific-wide free-trade pact.

"Remarkable. That's the only thing I can really say in the past 36 hours or so about the change in tone that seems to be emanating from the president and the White House," said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader.

"President Trump is walking back from the brink on so many fronts it's making my head spin," he added.

Tokyo's Nikkei was up 0.6 percent, while Sydney gained 0.4 percent, Seoul added 0.6 percent and Singapore put on 0.7 percent. Wellington and Taipei were also higher. (AFP)

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