Sentiment among Hong Kong's small and medium-sized businesses softened in November due to economic uncertainties, according to data from the city's census and statistics department released Tuesday.

The diffusion index on business receipts for small and medium-sized enterprises fell to 41.9 in November from 42.3 in October, the department said.

The index for business services contracted to 45.9 in November from 50 in October, while that of restaurants plunged to 34.9 from 37.4, and that of retail trade to 37.7 from 39.8.

For December, the outlook diffusion index is at 46.6.