HK shares flat in early trading
Hong Kong stocks opened flat on Thursday, as Asian markets regained their footing following a steep sell-off.  The Hang Seng Index rose 13 points to open at 17,470 points.  Mainland stocks opened mixed, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.04 percent to open at 2,785. The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.02 percent lower at 8,225.  In a data-packed week, investors are poring over the reports dropping in to gauge the health of the USeconomy and the labour market, with a weak manufacturing data on Tuesday and Wednesday's mixed labour data keeping markets on edge. (Xinhua/Reuters)