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The Shanghai Stock Exchange says it’s investigating a sudden spike that pushed the market up about four per cent. Photo: Xinhua

China shares rebound with surprising surge that lifts Hong Kong

Hong Kong shares, after tracking on Friday’s roller-coaster ride for mainland Chinese markets, ended the day on a tepid note, but they still had their best week of the year.

The Hang Seng Index ended down 0.1 per cent at 22,517.8 points, but gained 3.3 per cent this week - its best weekly showing since the week that ended November 23, 2012.

The China Enterprises Index of the top Chinese listings in Hong Kong edged up 0.1 per cent on the day, surging 6.5 per cent this week - its best gain since the week that ended January 13.

During the day, mainland markets surged and then dived to end down. The surge was likely rooted in a fault at a brokerage’s trading system.

Everbright Securities said in a filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, after trading in its A-shares was suspended, that its trading system encountered problems Friday morning.

China shares rebounded sharply late Friday morning, lifting Hong Kong markets with a surprising surge that had traders speculating on whether the root might be government support or a trading error.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange said in a statement after trading stopped for the midday break that it is investigating the spike, while adding that the markets were “operating normally.”

At midday, the CSI300 of the leading Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listings, on which futures contracts are based, went into the midday trading break up 3.6 per cent at 2,406 points after being down by as much as 1.1 per cent.

The Shanghai Composite Index was up 3.2 per cent in the heaviest midday volumes this year and, at one point, had risen 5.6 per cent. The Hang Seng Index was up 0.5 per cent, while the China Enterprises Index climbed 1.6 per cent.

“A lot of talk is swirling in the market, among which is one (theory) that the government hopes to keep the market stable for now,” said Zhang Qi, senior analyst at Haitong Securities in Shanghai.

Financials led index gains.

Mid-sized lenders China Minsheng Bank and Industrial Bank each soared more than 8 per cent in Shanghai, and Ping An Bank jumped by the maximum 10 per cent limit in Shenzhen.

China Merchants Bank reversed early losses after it was given the go-ahead to raise funds in a new share issue. The shares climbed 5.6 per cent in Shanghai and 2.1 per cent in Hong Kong.

A sales trader from a major Chinese brokerage said there is talk of an announcement after market close about a plan to convert stakes in large cap counters held by the Chinese government into preferred stock, taking these shares off the market.

Large cap counters such as PetroChina, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Agricultural Bank of China (AgBank) all briefly jumped by the maximum 10 per cent limit before paring gains.

“Part of the volatility today is down to CSI300 futures settlement for August contracts after market close, but there is a lot of talk about a possible trading error,” said Cao Xuefeng, a Chengdu-based analyst with Huaxi Securities.

The sudden surge in the last 30 minutes of the morning session for mainland exchanges caused heavy losses in programmed trading in short positions in the stock index futures market, traders said.

“That appears a warning from the authorities for those who dare to short aggressively in China’s stock market,” said a trader in Shanghai.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Hong Kong shares close flat, but have best week in nine months
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