HK stocks up as Asian markets get bout of AI jitters

Asian stocks slipped on Friday and were poised for a second straight weekly drop as investors fretted about elevated energy prices, bond market ructions and the huge sums needed to fund AI investment. In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index opened up 155 points, or 0.65 percent, at 23,941 and was 239 points higher in early trading. The China enterprises index rose 46 points, or 0.58 percent, to 8,057 and the tech index was 11 points, or 0.29 percent, higher at 4,085. The Shanghai Composite Index opened down seven points, or 0.21 percent, at 3,804. The Shenzhen Component Index slipped 63 points, or 0.51 percent, to 12,557 while the ChiNext Index was 15 points or 0.5 percent, lower at 3,021. With South Korean markets closed for a public holiday, the Nikkei in Tokyo opened 393 points, or 0.57 percent, down at 68,648 and was 479 points lower at one stage before noon. The mixed market openings came soon after US President Donald Trump said the United States would not launch an attack on Iran before November's US midterm elections, although traders remained sceptical of any progress being made to end the war. "The big question for markets is whether Trump sticks to his word if...