Hang Seng Index rises by midday on Friday, tech, semiconductor stocks increase

Hong Kong stocks rose by midday on Friday, lifted by tech shares.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index increased by 80 points, or 0.3 percent to 25,184 points by noon. The half-day market turnover was nearly HK$150 billion. 

The Hang Seng Tech Index grew 1.6 percent to 5,586 points at noon. 

Xiaomi (1810) grew nearly 2 percent. Semiconductor stocks performed well with Hua Hong Semiconductor (1347) jumping 11.7 percent and Semiconductor Manufacturing International (0981) up by over 6 percent, following news that Nvidia had asked suppliers to halt production on H20 AI chips. 

In the mainland, the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index rose 0.67 percent to 3,796 points and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange Component Index gained 1.3 percent to 12,076 points at the midday close.