Hong Kong shares barely gained on Wednesday, suggesting markets remain fragile despite an early boost after China said mainland investors would be able to buy exchange-traded fund (ETF) products based on stocks listed in the territory. Turnover hit its lowest in two weeks as investors stayed on the sidelines after a meeting between the leaders of Germany and France on Tuesday failed to end fears that euro zone financial instability is threatening global growth prospects.
The Hang Seng Index finished up 0.4 percent at 20,289.0 points after testing and failing to finish above resistance at 20,379 points, which was a low in August 2010, for a second-straight session. Investors have flocked to utility stocks as stable cash flows and earnings visibility make them easier to value, while their low correlation to the benchmark indexes mean they are less likely to get caught up in violent market moves.
Chinese brokerages, licensed to trade in mainland and Hong Kong markets, were among the top percentage gainers after Vice-Premier Li Keqiang announced in Hong Kong that foreign investors would be allowed to buy mainland securities using yuan, in addition to current dollar-denominated arrangements. Shenyin Wanguo (HK) Ltd surged 21.3 percent in more than 28 times its 30-day average volume. First Shanghai Investments Ltd jumped 22.2 percent in about 49 times its 30-day average volume.
The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 0.3 percent at 2,601.3 points, dragged by materials and energy stocks, as A-share turnover hit its lowest in nine sessions. Investors were concerned about further tightening after the central bank's one-year bill yield rose unexpectedly at auction on Tuesday, even though the market expected no immediate rise in interest rates or bank reserve requirements.
Gold and steel shares were the biggest losers, with Xinyu Iron & Steel Co dropping 2.1 percent and Shandong Gold Mining down 1.5 percent. But airlines and paper producers, likely beneficiaries of a stronger yuan in its global transactions, limited the losses after the People's Bank of China fixed the yuan mid-point at all-time highs five days in a row. Traders said this could be a sign that Beijing is engineering a "mini-revaluation" of the Chinese currency. China Eastern Airlines jumped 2.3 percent, while Hainan Airline gained 0.8 percent. Nanzhi Co Ltd Fujian the biggest gainer among paper makers, jumped 4.5 percent, and Fujian Qingshan Paper Industry rose 1.9 percent.
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