Hong Kong stocks started Friday morning on a muted note, at the end of a tough week for global markets as signs of a slowdown in the virus and an easing of lockdowns were trumped by fears over a second wave of infections. The Hang Seng Index inched up 4.94 points to 23,834.68. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index added 0.36 percent, or 10.36 points, to 2,880.71, while the Shenzhen Composite Index on China's second exchange rose 0.48 percent, or 8.71 points, to 1,814.41. dan/hg