HSI Ends Five-day Slide, Mainland Markets Tumble

Hong Kong shares edged up Friday after a five-day losing streak but gains were kept in check by a regional sell-off and ongoing concerns about the global economy.

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.2 percent, to close at 29,605.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index sank 1.2 percent, to 3,086, extending Thursday's loss of more than 2 percent. The Shenzhen Composite Index dived 1.3 percent, to 1,665.

There was little reaction to soothing comments from President Xi Jinping on trade, a pledge to remove subsidies for Chinese firms and not keep the yuan artificially low. Top Chinese and US negotiators resume negotiations next week in Beijing aimed at ending their long-running trade war.

The broad losses for equities come at the end of a tough week for markets, which have enjoyed a blockbuster start to the year, thanks to hopes for the talks.

Tokyo ended down 0.2 percent and Seoul shed 0.5 percent, while there were also losses in Taipei, Wellington and Bangkok. Singapore was flat.

But Sydney, Mumbai and Singapore edged up. (AFP)