Hong Kong stocks closed lower, turnover hit eight-week low

Hong Kong stocks fell further at the close on Friday, with the total turnover hitting an eight-week low.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index edged down 87 points, or 0.34 percent, to 25,858.

The full-day turnover was HK$146.2 billion, marking the lowest since October 6.

The tech gauge inched up 0.02 percent to 5,599.

WuXi AppTec (2359) dropped 3.8 percent, the worst performer among blue chip shares, followed by Alibaba Health Information Technology's (0241) decline of 3.2 percent.

PopMart became the best-performed blue chip stock for two straight days, rising 3.2 percent to a 10-day high at HK$225.6.

Macau casino shares also grew, with Sands China (1928) and Galaxy Entertainment (0027) increasing 2.5 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively. 

Baidu (9888) edged up 0.9 percent despite the reported large-scale layoff.

In the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index inched up 0.34 percent at 3,888, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.85 percent higher at 12,984.