Hong Kong stocks opened lower on Wednesday as concerns over artificial intelligence spending weighed on technology shares, while investors awaited U.S. inflation data for clues on the Federal Reserve's interest-rate outlook.

The Hang Seng Index fell 0.9%, or 221.63 points, to open at 24,282.25, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index dropped 0.9%, or 77.13 points, to open at 8,161.96.

U.S. stocks ended mostly lower on Tuesday as chipmakers came under pressure amid concerns over the sustainability of AI-related capital spending.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index lost more than 2%, while investors assessed the potential for increased competition from Chinese chipmakers and awaited earnings from major technology companies for further clues on AI investment and returns.

Investors are also awaiting U.S. consumer inflation data for clues on the Federal Reserve's interest-rate outlook, with markets increasingly expecting the central bank to hold rates steady later this month.