Hong Kong shares snap losing streak but China growth concerns linger
Hong Kong shares snapped a four-day losing streak in a mild rebound on Monday, with mainland markets tepid as investors remained cautious after new data pointed to an uncertain pace of recovery in the world’s second-largest economy.
A report in the that China may not launch new stimulus amid concerns of a debt buildup and overcapacity also weighed on the markets, with property stocks slipping.
The Hang Seng Index rose 0.3 per cent from its four-week low to 22,686.05 points. The China Enterprises Index of the top Chinese listings in Hong Kong gained 0.3 per cent.
Turnover in Hong Kong was at its lowest this year.
The Shanghai Composite Index ended up 0.2 per cent at 2,293.1 points. The CSI300 of the leading Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listings inched up 0.1 per cent.
China’s industrial profits growth quickened in April from the previous month, though the government noted that the pickup was due mainly to a low comparative base, indicating that the economy still faces slack domestic and external demand.
“The investors should avoid bottom-fishing, particularly in those policy-related stocks,” said Castor Pang, Core Pacific-Yamaichi Securities’ head of research.
The market will keep seesawing in the near term
“Unless we see some exceptionally good figures, the market will keep seesawing in the near term,” he said.
Beijing is set to release results of its official May manufacturing index on June 1.
Property and industrial sectors were broadly weak on Monday. China Vanke fell 0.9 per cent in Shenzhen after testing its highest since February 5 last week. In Hong Kong, Agile Property dropped 0.7 percent to its lowest close in more than one month.
Sany Heavy Industry fell 1.6 per cent in Shanghai, while trading in its rival Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology was suspended pending the company’s response to a mainland media report that said its sales data were false.
The solar panel sector rose, encouraged by a call from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang for an end to a trade row between Europe and China over solar panels and wireless equipment.
Shares in Comtec Solar Systems jumped 4 per cent, while Solargiga Energy Holdings Ltd rose 3.9 per cent.
Wuhan Steel fell 0.4 per cent while its bigger rival Baotou Steel dropped 0.8 per cent after Chinese steel futures fell to their lowest levels in nearly nine months on Monday.
Shares in Winteam Pharmaceutical jumped 13.3 per cent after the company said it would buy a 100 per cent stake of Tongjitang Chinese Medicine from Hanmax Investment and Fosun Industrial for 2.64 billion yuan (HK$3.31 billion).
