HSBC, Alibaba propel Hong Kong stocks near 4-year high on Fed rate-cut outlook


Hong Kong stocks rose to the highest level in almost four years, with gains driven by bets that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this month, spurring inflows and demand for risk assets in Asia.

The Hang Seng Index rose 1.3 per cent to 25,967.62 as of 11am local time, heading for the highest close since October 26, 2021. The Hang Seng Tech Index gained 1.7 per cent.

On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index slipped 0.1 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index was little changed.

Gold producer Zijin Mining Group rallied 3.7 per cent to HK$28.76 after gold futures topped US$3,600 an ounce, as lower interest rates make bullion more attractive. HSBC Holdings, the biggest component of the Hang Seng Index, rose 0.5 per cent to HK$102.20. Alibaba Group Holding added 2.4 per cent to HK$140.70 and Tencent Holdings gained 1.1 per cent to HK$624.

HSBC shares rose on Tuesday. Photo: Eugene Lee
HSBC shares rose on Tuesday. Photo: Eugene Lee

Money-market traders had now priced in an 89.4 per cent probability of a 25-basis-point reduction by the Fed at its policy meeting next week, according to the CME Group, on the back of a labour market report last week showing a significant decline in job growth in August. The odds of a half-point cut were 10.6 per cent, the data showed.

  • Related Posts

    Hong Kong export credit insurer keeps premiums low despite Middle East tensions

    Hong Kong’s export credit insurer is keeping premiums low and expanding support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), even as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raise concerns about risks…

    Continue reading
    Chinese firms should focus on investing in politically stable regions: entrepreneur

    Chinese firms should prioritise regional political stability when they make overseas investment decisions, as mounting geopolitical tensions and currency fluctuations increase the risks of doing business abroad, a prominent Chinese…

    Continue reading

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *