Hong Kong and China stocks ended lower on Tuesday with banks and property counters leading the slide in the wake of a surprise interest rate rise by the People's Bank of China. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropped 1.74 percent to 2,732.99 points, the lowest closing level since September 30, and squarely below the 250-day moving average, considered by some as a key technical support level.
The fall extended the previous session's nearly 2 percent loss as investors dumped banking and property stocks. The market also suffered from a seasonal year-end liquidity shortage, reflected by thin trade and the benchmark money market rate heading for the highest level in three years.
"The rate rise triggered a correction mainly caused by an acute shortage of liquidity toward year-end, as well as excessively high valuations in certain small-cap stocks," said Zheshang Securities in Shanghai fund manager Zhou Liang. "But there's limited room for the index to fall as many blue chip stocks are already cheap by historic standards. Tightening concerns have been largely priced in, so it could be a good buying opportunity."
Many analysts expect the government to front-load more tightening measures after the latest rate rise, including further rate increases and higher bank reserve requirements in the first half of next year, potentially resulting in slower growth. Developers continued to slide on concern monetary tightening and real estate curbs would hurt sales and slash margins, with China's biggest listed developer China Vanke Co Ltd slumping 4.8 percent. Banks also weighed as the prospect of a slowing economy triggered concern that loan demand will fall and bad assets will rise.
China Construction Bank Corp, the country's biggest mortgage lender, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd, the largest lender, both fell 1.7 percent. Small-cap stocks, which have been the subject of much speculation recently with regard to government support for sectors such as new energy and technology, also fell sharply, with many such stocks falling more than 4 percent.
Investors paid little heed to an official comment published on Tuesday, which was apparently aimed at soothing investor concerns over tightening. Central bank adviser Li Daokui said China would tighten fiscal policy gradually in a manner "acceptable to the market", local media reported.
Hong Kong shares fell for a third consecutive day with the Hang Seng Index finishing down 0.93 percent, its biggest single day of fall in percentage terms in nearly two weeks, at 22,621.73, its lowest close since October 4. The China Enterprises Index of top locally listed mainland Chinese companies was down 1.07 percent at 12,309.59.
"The rate rise effect haunted the thin market today," said Linus Yip, chief strategist at First Shangahi Securities. "Interest rates are set to be a hot topic in the coming year, while the latest rate rise has removed some uncertainty and that may allow the market to take a breather before a rebound."
China Construction Bank Corp led the slide, falling 1.5 percent, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd was down 1.4 percent. Chinese developer China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd dropped 2.3 percent, while Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd fell 1.4 percent.
Brokers said a limited downside risk after the recent weakness may fuel bargain hunting, while some said they preferred to hold cash in uncertain market trend. Bucking a weak market, gold retailer Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd ended at HK$24.40, up 2.3 percent. The jeweller said it was speeding up expansion in Chinese cities as increasingly affluent consumers snap up gold necklaces and ornaments.
Chinese auto stocks rebounded from recent weakness with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd, which fell 4.7 percent on Friday, surged 4.9 percent. Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd, which tumbled 7.5 percent on Friday, rebounded 0.9 percent. Auto stocks were hit last Friday after Beijing announced measures to limit new car registrations to tackle congestion in the city.
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