HK shares open down on weak US data, AIG loss

HONG KONG, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Hong Kong shares will open 0.5 percent lower Friday after a big loss at American insurer AIG coupled with grim U.S. unemployment and retail sales data brought the credit crisis and economic slowdown back into focus.

The Hang Seng Index .HSI is set to open 106.56 points lower at 21,997.64.

The China Enterprises Index .HSCE of top locally listed Chinese firms is set to open down 0.6 percent.

(Reporting by Parvathy Ullatil; Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)