(Bloomberg) — Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong rose on Wednesday, extending their stimulus-induced euphoria as traders returned from a public holiday.
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The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index rose as much as 6.6%, extending its winning streak to 13 days, the longest streak since January 2018. Property developers led the gains with an indicator that tracks the sector jumping as much as 30%, while an index of brokerage firms shares rose 25%. Markets in mainland China will remain closed until October 8 for a week-long holiday.
The prolonged rally is driven by optimism about China's economy and risk assets after authorities unveiled a raft of stimulus measures last week that included interest rate cuts, freeing up cash for banks and liquidity support for stocks. Four major cities also eased restrictions on home purchases and the central bank took steps to reduce mortgage rates.
The rally “reflects a fundamental shift in investor positioning as hedge funds and mutual funds, which had previously been underexposed, are now moving into Chinese assets,” said Billy Leung, investment strategist at Global X Management. in Sydney.
Attractive valuations for Chinese stocks after three years of declines are helping to attract investors.
The flurry of stimulus measures by the authorities came just as the troubled economy caused the valuation of the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index to drop to around 7 times estimated earnings for the next 12 months, versus the average of five years of 8.4 times. It's still only 8.7 times, less than half that of the S&P 500, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
Brokerage shares, considered a barometer of risk sentiment in China's stock markets, also rose. China Merchants Securities Co. gained as much as 59% and Citic Securities Co. and Guolian Securities Co. rose more than 25%.
Hedge funds
In another sign of growing investor interest, hedge funds are investing in Chinese stocks at a record pace.
US-based Mount Lucas Management has taken bullish positions on Chinese exchange-traded funds, while Singapore's GAO Capital and South Korea's Timefolio Asset Management are buying Chinese large-cap stocks. Tribeca Investment Partners in Sydney is acquiring representatives such as Australian miners.
“I still remain optimistic, and if subsequent policies can exceed expectations, I believe the bull market can last for three months to half a year,” said Bo Pei, equity research analyst at US Tiger Securities. “A correction amid such a steep rise is not unusual. The important thing is whether it can continue to rise after the correction. Personally I am quite confident.”
–With the help of John Cheng.
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