Hong Kong - Hong Kong shares plunged a further 3 per cent in early trading Friday as pessimism over global economic prospects deepened in the wake of more overnight losses on Wall Street.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index shed 369.41 points to drop below 12,000 points within the first half hour of Friday trade, falling to 11,929.15 points.

The index lost 4 per cent of its value on Thursday and has fallen by more than 40 per cent since late September when it crashed through the 20,000-point barrier. (dpa)