Hong Kong stocks flat at open

Hong Kong stocks were barely moved at the beginning of trade on Thursday as investors weighed the outlook for US interest rates while keeping a close eye on developments in the Middle East crisis. The Hang Seng Index inched up 1.4 points, to 16,253. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.3 percent, or 11.35 points to 3,060, while the Shenzhen Composite Index shed 0.3 percent, or 5.6 points to 1,695. (AFP)