Chinese builders hasten residential sales as mood shifts

Strong sales in October have exhausted inventory, leading to an expected average decline of 20 per cent in several cities come November, according to a research institute.

The week of November 3 saw the approval of approximately 115 projects, which collectively provide 44,577 housing units, as per the data gathered by 58 Anjuke Real Estate Research Institute. This institute monitors the real estate activities in 55 major cities on the mainland. This marked a 30 per cent increase from the prior week's approvals.

In October, the leading 100 property developers in the country reportedly sold homes valued at 435.5 billion yuan (equivalent to US$60.2 billion). This represents a 73% increase compared to sales in September, as reported by China Real Estate Information Corp. Over the same period, there was a slight dip in home prices by 0.5%, marking the least significant decrease since March, as indicated by government statistics.

"There's a lot of excitement," stated Wei Kai, the marketing head at Centaline Property's Shenzhen branch, one of the biggest real estate firms. "The mood is getting better, hence everyone is eager to kick off their projects immediately."

Sources indicate that Pegatron of Taiwan has sold the majority share of its iPhone factory in India to Tata. As Apple expands its production network beyond China, it's anticipated that India will manufacture nearly a quarter of all iPhones distributed this year.

According to the agreement disclosed privately a week ago, Tata will possess 60% and oversee day-to-day activities in the partnership, while Pegatron will own the remaining portion and offer technical assistance, stated the two informants, who wished to remain anonymous since the specifics are not yet disclosed to the public.

The insiders didn't provide further details about the deal's financial aspects.

Tata chose not to provide any remarks, and neither Apple nor Pegatron responded to inquiries from Reuters on Sunday.

In April, Reuters initially reported that Apple-supported Pegatron was in the advanced stages of discussions to sell its sole iPhone manufacturing facility in India to Tata. This move signifies the Taiwanese company's most recent reduction in its collaboration with Apple.

Shares in Hong Kong put a stop to a 6-day downturn as Chinese banks see an increase following a regulatory directive. Firms listed on the stock market that have share prices less than their book value are required to devise strategies to rectify the situation, as stated by the CSRC last Friday. The CSRC reiterated this statement last Friday for companies listed on the stock market with share prices less than their book value.

The Hang Seng Index saw a 0.8 per cent increase, finishing at 19,576.61, which marked a turnaround from a 7.3 per cent drop in the previous six trading days. The Hang Seng Tech Index also experienced a rise, albeit a smaller one at 0.3 per cent.

The major indexes in Mainland China experienced a slight decline. The CSI 300 Index saw a decrease of 0.5 per cent, while the Shanghai Composite Index went down by 0.2 per cent.

Investor confidence in Hong Kong and Chinese stocks continues to be unstable after China's unexpected decision not to introduce the financial stimulus that investors were counting on. This unease is exacerbated by the potential for increased tariffs following Donald Trump's re-election as US president. The Hang Seng Index experienced a substantial drop of 6.3 per cent last week, marking a total fall of 16 per cent since its peak in October.

Special Report | Bridgewater's Prince suggests China presents a singular chance for portfolio diversification

Additional stimulus is required since current expenditure is inadequate to reach its growth goal, according to co-CIO Prince.

For a robust investment portfolio, investors are advised to spread their investments across different regions, industries, sectors, asset types, or a mix of all. This approach aids in achieving a well-balanced portfolio that thrives in periods of increasing inflation, as per Prince's advice. Conversely, he pointed out that many investors' portfolios are primarily set up to profit from a decrease in inflation.

If Donald Trump secures a second term as President, it could trigger a wave of "Trump Tsunami" policy decisions that could potentially disrupt international markets, as per Max Baucus, the previous American ambassador to China. During his campaign, Trump pledged to expel unlawful immigrants and increase taxes on goods imported from China, among other things, which could potentially instigate another round of trade conflicts.

The potential strategies he might employ are causing unease among economists and financial consultants, who believe that tariffs will most likely impact American consumers and trigger a rapid increase in US inflation, according to economists. This brings into question the speed at which the Federal Reserve will be able to reduce interest rates in 2025.

Prince points out that the majority of investors have their assets primarily in stocks and bonds, which tend to do well in a low-inflation environment. He emphasizes the importance of having a diverse portfolio, as relying on a single market exposes the investor to the economic risks and rate fluctuations within that system.

Prenetics and David Beckham have unveiled the IM8 brand, featuring two health and wellness supplements. The brand plans to debut two high-end products named Daily Ultimate Essentials and Daily Ultimate Longevity.

The company is set to launch two high-end products, Daily Ultimate Essentials and Daily Ultimate Longevity, on its digital platform. These items will be available for delivery in 31 nations such as Hong Kong, the United States, UK, and Singapore.

"We're utilizing the peak of scientific advancement and innovation, enabling individuals globally to manage their health and wellness."

Prenetics, a company listed on Nasdaq, has announced that IM8 will concentrate on creating advanced consumer health products.

IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials is a multifunctional flavored powder designed to serve as a holistic daily nutrient supplement. It contains 16 individual daily supplements that promote heart health and bolster the joints and muscles. IM8 Daily Ultimate Longevity is a daily pill developed to focus on refreshing cells and promoting healthy aging.

UOB and Shanghai Gold Exchange ink agreement to boost international collaboration

[This article's content was created by our promotional partner.]

On November 11, 2024, in Singapore, United Overseas Bank (UOB) entered into an agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE). This Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Shanghai and is one of the mutual cooperation efforts agreed upon by the People's Bank of China and the Monetary Authority of Singapore during the 20th meeting of the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation.

China plays a pivotal role in the international gold market, holding the position as the biggest producer and importer of gold, as well as the leading creator of gold products. The demand for gold in the ASEAN region has seen a noticeable rise in recent years due to an increase in disposable income and heightened interest from investors. As part of the Memorandum of Understanding, both sides will proactively support the Belt and Road initiative and pursue strategic collaboration in the ASEAN gold markets, using China's gold supply chain to bridge the gap between production capabilities and demand. This is expected to positively impact the growth of the ASEAN gold markets.

The Deputy Chairman and CEO of UOB, Mr Wee Ee Cheong, stated that UOB has a prominent role in the Southeast Asian gold business, and is also a member of the SGE. This Memorandum of Understanding will enhance UOB's collaboration with SGE in areas such as proprietary trading, physical delivery, and international bullion products. UOB, being the sole bank in Singapore providing physical gold products and having a broad presence in the ASEAN region, is in a strong position to bridge customers to gold markets within the region and China.

Mr. Yu Wenjian, the Chair of SGE, stated, "We're celebrating the 10th year of SGE International Board. Our plan is to keep expanding globally and to roll out new business strategies. In collaboration with UOB, we aim to improve the International Board's service system, which will aid in the high-level opening of China's gold market as a part of the financial infrastructure."

The Hong Kong conference commences with top executives ready to explore China's stimulus proposals and Trump's economic policies. This year's investment conference is themed 'Navigating Through Transformations', where the focus will probably be the intense discussions on China's economic boost and Trump's financial strategies.

The premier financial gathering in Hong Kong is uniting the chief executives of several of the globe's leading banking organizations. This offers exposure to China's high-level authorities at a crucial period when investors are closely examining Beijing's economic stimulus and reaction to the new US government.

Deputy Premier He Lifeng is spearheading a team of high-ranking leaders, among them Wu Qing, the chief of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). They are attending the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, which begins today with an introductory gala dinner.

Senior leaders from prominent firms such as HSBC, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, BNP Paribas, Oaktree Capital Management, and KKR, among others, have arrived in the city. They are here to endorse Hong Kong, a significant income source for several of them and a principal local head office for others.

This is the largest delegation from Beijing to attend the yearly event since its inception in 2022. The enthusiasm and progress that followed China's stimulus blast in late September have largely diminished. This is because China has refrained from implementing further large-scale initiatives to bolster its housing and stock markets.

Three forty-nine

Xi's impassioned call establishes economic goals for Chinese authorities, pardoning them for past errors.

"I'm optimistic that this could be their defining moment of taking any necessary measures. However, what they've essentially done is firmly assert that they will do whatever it can to prevent a catastrophe," stated Karen Karniol-Tambour, co-chief investment officer at Bridgewater Associates, in a podcast the previous month. "It's not equivalent to 'doing anything possible to achieve greatness'."

She further added that there are numerous measures that Chinese policymakers can still implement.

Alibaba plans to offload bonds for debt repayment and stock repurchase, taking advantage of low interest rates. The leading Chinese online commerce company will be issuing bonds in US dollars and yuan to facilitate their debt repayment and stock buyback scheme.

The company stated on Monday in a filing with the Hong Kong stock exchange that specifics such as the main sum, interest percentages, expiration dates, and additional conditions of the notes would be set when the offering is priced.

According to an anonymous tip featured in a Reuters article, Alibaba – who owns the South China Morning Post – is planning to raise a staggering $5 billion. The report outlines that the dollar bonds are set to mature over spans of 5.5 years, 10.5 years and 30 years. Additionally, the yuan bonds will mature at intervals of 3.5 years, 5 years, 10 years and 20 years.

Kenny Ng Lai-yin, a strategist at Everbright Securities International, has stated that the current low-interest rates in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere globally have made issuing debt comparatively affordable. This provides a tactical chance for businesses to invest or carry out share buybacks to boost capital returns.

Alibaba, headquartered in Hangzhou, in the eastern region of Zhejiang province, has initiated its most ambitious share repurchase program since its inception during the height of the Covid-19 crisis in late 2020, to bolster its stock value. The e-commerce giant has invested $14.7 billion in the current year, a significant increase from the $9.5 billion in 2023, $10.9 billion in 2022, and $10.6 billion in 2021, as per the company's official documents.

A survey indicates that Hong Kong investors have a positive outlook on Trump's presidency. According to the poll, 70% of Hong Kong residents think Trump would be more beneficial for the global economy compared to his rival, Harris.

The report, released on Monday, indicates that 70% of residents in Hong Kong are of the opinion that Trump's term in office would have been more beneficial for the worldwide economy compared to Kamala Harris's, even with the possibility of increased strain between the US and China, which could impact local economic expansion.

The study, conducted by MDRi, a division of the British legal consultancy firm Mishcon de Reya Group, also discovered that investors from Hong Kong are prepared to enhance their investment in the US market due to a surge in confidence in the global economy.

Currently, 58% of the 500 surveyed investors based in Hong Kong reported investing their money in the domestic market, while the US came in a near second with 19%. Following the election, 24% of those surveyed indicated plans to increase their investments in the US.

Warner's Max begins operations in Asia, challenging Netflix in the Hong Kong streaming battle. The American streaming platform is aiming for a spot among the top three in its fresh Asian markets, states WBD CEO, JB Perrette.

Max is set to debut in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and numerous Southeast Asian nations, providing audiences with a substantially improved, more diverse range of content. This includes favored series such as Harry Potter and the DC Universe, according to JB Perrette, the CEO of WBD and the president of global streaming and games.

Perrette, in a recent interview, stated that although launching in North America, South America, and Europe was a significant achievement, they could not truly label themselves as a global product until they made their mark in Asia-Pacific, given its sheer size and importance.

The executive stated that WBD is aiming to be among the top three leaders in its new Asian markets in terms of size, involvement, and profitability.

As per the data from Rakuten Insights reported by Statista, Netflix, ViuTV, and YouTube Premium are the top three on-demand video platforms in Hong Kong as of June. Other platforms like Disney+, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video are also accessible in the city.

Chinese banks experience a boost as guidelines from CSRC advocating for higher shareholder returns raise assurance

Chinese banks skyrocket following regulator's push for heightened shareholder returns, with the goal of improving stock values and corporate governance

Chinese banks skyrocket following regulator's push for heightened shareholder returns, with the goal of improving stock values and corporate governance

Leading Chinese banks experienced a surge following an encouragement from the country's securities regulator for listed firms to enhance their share values and amplify returns for shareholders.

A collection of 42 banks, which are publicly traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, saw an increase of over 2% on Monday, as per the information from financial data service, Shanghai DZH. Some of the largest government-supported banks, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Bank of China, and China Construction Bank, experienced a minimum rise of 2.9% in Hong Kong, exceeding the 0.8% increase in the Hang Seng Index.

"The fresh regulation on market capitalisation will bolster investor anticipation for increased stock repurchases," stated Liu Xinqi, a financial analyst at Guotai Junan Securities in Shanghai.

According to the guidelines of the CSRC, businesses that have maintained a price-to-book ratio less than one for an extended period are mandated to formulate strategies for improvement and announce the corrective actions approved by their board. These businesses must assess their strategies annually and make changes if needed, as per the regulator's directions. Furthermore, these companies must allocate a dedicated portion in their yearly reports to clarify the execution of these strategies.

Xiaomi's earnings skyrocketed by 30.5% as its electric vehicle sector started to boom. The company raked in a hefty $12.8 billion in the quarter that concluded in September, achieving its target of manufacturing 100,000 EVs within this year.

The firm's earnings for the quarter ending in September amounted to 92.5 billion yuan (US$12.8 billion), exceeding the 90.3 billion yuan prediction by analysts polled by Bloomberg.

The revised net income for the period increased by 4.4% year on year, reaching 6.3 billion yuan, which surpassed the projected 5.9 billion yuan.

The company has expressed its unwavering dedication towards its new objective for the decade 2020-2030. The goal is focused on pumping funds into essential base technologies while also aspiring to be a worldwide pioneer in the ever-advancing field of high-tech innovations, as per the company's statement.

Xiaomi's business division of "intelligent electric vehicles and other new endeavors" amassed a revenue of 9.7 billion yuan, with the company witnessing continued favorable response to its first electric vehicle, the SU7 sedan, which was launched earlier this year. The company reported that it sold 39,790 units of the SU7 series in the third quarter.

Xiaomi's CEO, Lei Jun, disclosed on Weibo last week that the company has reached its target of manufacturing 100,000 cars this year. In a new post on Monday, he stated that the company now aims to deliver 130,000 vehicles.

The main business of the company based in Beijing, which involves smartphones and "artificial intelligence of things" (AIoT) – a classification encompassing Internet of Things and lifestyle items – generated 82.8 billion yuan in the quarter. This indicates a yearly growth of 16.8 percent.