Shares in Hong Kong and Shanghai rose on Monday, with the Hang Seng hitting a one-month high, after better-than-expected US job data eased some worries about the world's biggest economy. The Hang Seng Index jumped 1.8 percent to 21,355.8, highest since August 11, and technicals pointed to further gains after breaking above the 200-day moving average, which had served as a resistance.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd, which operates Asia's 3rd largest stock exchange and relies heavily on trading activity for commissions and revenue, gained 5.1 percent. The gain was the company's biggest jump since June 21, when exchange turnover crossed HK$90 billion for only the second time this year.
Retailer Belle International soared 6.5 percent on the debut of its inclusion in the Hang Seng in part due to index funds buying shares to rebalance portfolios. Turnover in Hong Kong stayed high at HK$70.2 billion despite a US market holiday.
Shanghai stocks rose 1.5 percent to two-week highs, with large cap steel stocks outperforming after local media said some steel mills were ordered to shut down. Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd rose 7.1 percent, Hebei Iron and Steel Co Ltd, the biggest gainer on the Shenzhen market, gained 5.1 percent, while Lingyuan Iron & Steel jumped to its 10 percent daily limit.
Insurance counters also outperformed after China said it would allow insurers to broaden investment channels into private equity and real estate, a move that could unleash as much as $100 billion worth of fresh funding into unlisted firms and the property sector. China Ping An Insurance rose 4.5 percent while China Pacific Insurance was up 3.4 percent. Dalian Yi Qiao Marine Seed Co Ltd dived by its 10 percent daily limit after soaring 82 percent in the past seven sessions. Guangdong Palm Landscape Architecture Co Ltd also dropped by its 10 percent daily limit.