Hong Kong Stocks Up 3% as Tech Stocks Rise; China’s activity data disappoints

Shares of major Chinese tech companies are currently “so depressed” and “really cheap,” said Fred Hu, founder and chairman of Primavera Capital.

The Hang Seng Tech index in Hong Kong is down more than 30% year-to-date, although the index has rebounded in recent weeks.

The Chinese government’s relentless crackdowns and zero Covid policy have undermined the confidence of tech entrepreneurs and investors, but there is “tremendous value” in some tech stocks, Hu said.

“China is a nation that any other prosperous nation would need [for] technology and innovation…I think there’s a benefit” to a lot of these actions, he added.

— Charmaine Jacob

Hong Kong-listed shares of Chinese tech companies rose significantly in the first hour of trading.

Tencent increased by 7.6%, Meituan gained 5.9%, and Ali Baba increased by 9%. The Hang Seng Tech index rose around 4%.

The moves come despite disappointing data on Chinese retail activity and sales, and following US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting ahead of the G-20 summit in Bali.

The chief strategist at private investment firm Safanad said the discussion between the two executives had “gone much better” than expected, although he mainly attributed that to low expectations.

Shares of Taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company listed in Taiwan surged after Berkshire Hathaway revealed a $4 billion stake in the company.

The stock soared 9.44%, reaching the highest levels in nearly two months.

Berkshire added more than 60 million shares of the Taiwanese chipmaker’s U.S. certificates of deposit, worth $4.1 billion (1.2% of TSM) by the end of the third quarter, making Taiwan Semi the 10th largest holding in the conglomerate at the end of September.

The stock was up around 8% last time.

Chinese industrial production rose 5% in October from a year ago, slowing from a 6.3% increase seen in September. The latest figure misses estimates of a 5.2% rise predicted in a Reuters poll.

Separately, retail sales in China fell 0.5% in October from a year ago, below expectations.

Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a 1% increase and retail sales rose 2.5% in September.

—Abigail from

With many stocks in a bear market, stocks could be undervalued by 15%, according to Morningstar.

The US equity research firm’s chief strategist thinks the headwinds that were present earlier in the year will start to ease early next year and benefit stocks.

Dave Sekera also shared his “fair value” assessment on six companies with a “wide moat” that will outperform in such an economic environment.

CNBC Pro subscribers can learn more here.

—Ganesh Rao

The Reserve Bank of Australia has hinted at additional and possibly larger interest hikes in its efforts to rein in inflationary pressures, according to minutes released from its last meeting.

“The Board agreed on the importance of bringing inflation back to target and expects to raise interest rates further in the period ahead,” he said in the statement.

The central bank had considered raising its cash rates by 50 basis points, but saw a stronger case for raising the rate by 25 basis points, she said.

Higher interest rates would be part of wider efforts to “establish a more sustainable balance of demand and supply in the Australian economy”, the RBA said, adding that members had not ruled out the possibility of returning to higher increases if necessary.

– Jihye Lee

Japan’s economy contracted unexpectedly in the third quarter from a year ago, according to preliminary official estimates.

Gross domestic product fell 1.2% in the July-September quarter from the same period last year, missing estimates of 1.1% growth in a Reuters poll.

—Abigail from

What stocks could benefit if China rolls back its zero Covid policy? Market pros reveal how to play a reopening as China relaxes some of its virus controls.

Pro subscribers can learn more here.

— Zavier Ong

The S&P 500 rebounded from its lows and Treasury yields fell a bit in late morning after Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Lael Brainard said it may “soon” be appropriate to slow the pace. pace of interest rate hikes, in a conversation with Bloomberg News.

The S&P 500 was last down 0.1% after losing more than 0.7% at one point on Monday. The 10-year Treasury yield was 5 basis points higher at 3.878% after hitting around 3.90% earlier.

“I think it’s really important to point out that we’ve done a lot, but we have additional work to do both to raise rates and maintain moderation to bring inflation down to 2% over time,” added Brainard.

—John Melloy, Jeff Cox

Fed Governor Christopher Waller said that while the central bank may raise rates at a slower pace next month, that shouldn’t be interpreted as a sign of easing in its fight to lower the economy. ‘inflation.

“Stop paying attention to the pace and start paying attention to where the end point will be. Until we reduce inflation, that end point is still a long way off,” Waller said Sunday.

Earlier this month, the Fed raised rates 75 basis points to their highest level since 2008.

—Fred Imbert