Weekend news from China drove Chinese stocks sharply higher (before the fade back):

  • Shanghai Composite Index opens up over 5%
  • Shenzhen Component Index up 5.7%
  • Chinext Price Index up nearly 7% (tech heavy index)
  • CSI300 up more than 5%
  • Securities brokerages hit limit-up across the board
  • Property developers strong rally

The news was of a Chinese authorities release aimed at boosting the stock market. Most notable were easier margin restrictions and moves to restrict the selling of stocks by institutions. Of course, moves to restrict the selling of stocks hardly seems confidence inspiring but the headline impact is clear, fewer sellers and prices jumped. Buy now, worry later.

CNH rose early, pre-empting the stock moves (FX trades much earlier than the relaxed folks on stock markets do) and has since retraced.

AUD and NZD seemed to catch some positive sentiment from this on the session, both rose a little, but nothing like China shares did. EUR, GBP, CAD barely moved.

USD/JPY ticked a little higher after comments from Bank of Japan Governor Ueda on Saturday in Jackson Hole reiterate his commitment to loose policy.

Asian equity markets:

  • Japan’s Nikkei 225 +1.7%

  • China’s Shanghai Composite +2.4%

  • Hong Kong’s Hang Seng +2%

  • South Korea’s KOSPI +0.8%

  • Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 +0.6%

Shanghai Composite wrap chart 28 August 2023

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As a side note China Evergrande shares resumed trade today after a 17-month suspension. Shares fell nearly 90% at the open.