Hong Kong Stocks Hold Near 11-Month High As Lunar Holiday Spending Seen Aiding China’s Recovery Momentum

South China Morning Post2023-01-27
  • The Hang Seng Index has gained 2.5 per cent in this holiday-shortened week as traders continue to be inspired by China’s recovery momentum
  • Hong Kong’s equity market has recouped US$487 billion in capitalisation in this year’s rally through Thursday

Stock market data seen inside the Connect Hall in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kongstocks advanced, extending a rally toward an 11-month high as red-hot holiday spending in mainland China fuelled expectations the nation’s post-zero Covid economic recovery is gaining strength.

The Hang Seng Index added 0.1 per cent to 22,582.21 as of 10.55 am local time, the highest since March 1. The Tech Index added 0.6 per cent. Onshore financial markets will only reopen on Monday after a week-long Lunar New Year holiday.

Tencent Holdings jumped 1.2 per cent to HK$411.80, Baidu gained 1.6 per cent to HK$136.6 and Trip.com rose 0.5 per cent to HK$312.2. Developer Longfor rose 2 per cent to HK$27.60 while sportswear manufacturer Li Ning gained 1.2 per cent to HK$80.70.

Bookings for hotels, flights and attractions at home and abroad surged during the Lunar holiday season to their highest in three years, the Shanghai Securities Journal reported on Friday. Overall travel orders jumped fourfold over the corresponding festive season last year, it added, citing data from online travel agency Trip.com.

“Lunar New Year holiday mobility and consumption is robust as the exit wave subsides,” analysts at Nomura said in a note on Friday. China’s first-quarter growth could surpass the firm’s forecast given the quicker transition to herd immunity, they added.

The Hang Seng Index has logged six weeks of gains, its longest winning streak since the end of 2019. It rose 2.5 per cent in this holiday-shortened week, bringing the rally to 14 per cent this month, marking the best start to a year in at least three decades. The city’s stock market has regained US$487 billion of capitalisation in this year’s rally.

Elsewhere, Country Garden surged 5.9 per cent to HK$3.23. China’s biggest developer said it obtained a three-year yuan-denominated loan facility worth up to US$50 million from China Minsheng Bank, according to a Hong Kong stock exchange filing.

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