Chinese markets’ 2018 performance was their worst in a decade

Eustance Huang — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 08:50:54 +0000

2018 has been unkind to China’s stock markets.
Major indexes in Shanghai and Shenzhen both saw annual losses of more than 24 percent in 2018.
Two major factors unsettled the Chinese markets for much of 2018: The ongoing trade war between Beijing and Washington and the slowdown in China’s own economy following decades of strong growth.

This year has not been a great one for Chinese stocks. In fact, it’s been the worst in a decade.

The Shanghai composite, the mainland’s major share average, ended the trading year at 2,493.90 — that was approximately 24.6 percent lower than its final close of 2017.

All 10 sectors of the index were down significantly in the year, with information technology being the worst performer as it fell 34 percent, according to Chinese financial services firm Wind Information. Even the best performing sector, utilities, dropped 11 percent.

That puts the Shanghai composite’s performance at its worst since 2008, the year of the global financial crisis, when it plunged more than 65 percent.

Those dramatic losses were also seen elsewhere in China, with the Shenzhen composite plummeting about 33.25 percent and the Shenzhen component plunging around 34.44 percent in 2018 as compared to their last close of 2017. The Shenzhen component’s performance was also its worst since 2008, when it dove 63 percent, according to Wind Information.

As shares on the mainland were pummeled, Hong Kong stocks performed a bit better. The Hang Seng index notched a decline of only 13.61 percent for 2018.

Trade war with Washington

Beijing’s ongoing trade war with Washington dominated headlines for much of the year, with the Chinese markets taking hits throughout as authorities undertook a string of measures, such as cutting the amount of reserves held by banks, with limited success in calming traders.

Following a series of punitive tariffs that were slapped on each other’s goods, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a 90-day pause in tariff escalation in early December.

Looking ahead to 2019, one investor told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Monday that the two economic powerhouses would likely strike a trade deal.

Marc Franklin, a senior portfolio manager at Conning Asia Pacific, said there would likely be three aspects to such an agreement.

AFP | Getty Images

A investor monitors stock prices at a securities company in Hangzhou in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on October 18, 2018.

Firstly, he said, there would be a reduction in import tariffs on certain U.S. goods. Secondly, investors should expect pledges to buy greater amounts of U.S. agriculture and energy products. Thirdly, he said there’s likely to be a potential deferral — but not a cancellation — on certain aspects of China’s push to become a world leader in high-tech manufacturing, its so-called Made in China 2025 policy.

“The market will like … this progression, but it won’t solve the longer-term issues,” Franklin said. “There’s bipartisan concern in the U.S. around things like cyber, (intellectual property) espionage and theft by China, (increasingly) aggressive behavior from a military perspective in the Pacific.”

Domestic economy woes

Beyond its trade skirmish with the U.S., China’s own economy has also displayed signs of stuttering, with its manufacturing sector in December contracting for the first time in more than two years, according to government data.

The country’s official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) came in on Monday at 49.4 — lower than the 49.9 analysts expected in a Reuters poll. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below that signals contraction.

Even before the escalation in trade tensions with the U.S. this year, Beijing was already trying to manage a slowdown in its economy after three decades of breakneck growth.

“The toolbox is becoming emptier and emptier” for Chinese authorities, Frederic Neumann, co-head of Asian Economics Research at HSBC, told CNBC on Monday.

— CNBC’s Evelyn Cheng and Huileng Tan contributed to this report.

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Global stocks push higher after Fed’s Powell reassures

Fox Business — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 13:44:23 +0000

Global markets rose on Monday as fairly dovish comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell helped reassure investors that the central bank is not planning to accelerate its interest rate increases next year.

KEEPING SCORE: In Europe, Germany’s DAX was up 0.5 percent to 12,456 while the CAC 40 in France was 0.4 percent higher at 5,454. British markets were closed for a summer bank holiday. Major U.S. indexes were set to open higher with Dow futures and the broader S&P 500 futures up 0.3 percent. On Friday, the S&P closed at an all-time high, with sentiment boosted by a string of solid corporate earnings.

DOVISH FED: U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell sketched a positive picture of the U.S. economy on Friday and said the Fed’s incremental approach to raising rates has so far succeeded. “The economy is strong. Inflation is near our 2 percent objective, and most people who want a job are finding one. We are setting policy to do what monetary policy can do to support continued growth, a strong labor market and inflation near 2 percent,” Powell said, at an annual conference of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The chairman’s measured tone about the economy and his message that the Fed plans to stick with a gradual pace of rate hikes appeared to sit well with investors.

ANALYST TAKE: The message from Wyoming wasn’t unexpected but it does help risk assets,” said Kit Juckes, a strategist at Societe Generale.

TRADE TENSIONS: Trade issues also remain at the forefront of investors’ attention. The United States and China have imposed 25 percent tariffs on $16 billion of each other’s goods including automobiles, factory equipment and other goods. Last Thursday, U.S. and Chinese negotiators ended two days of meetings without breaking a deadlock over trade that has unnerved financial markets and disrupted global commerce. Lindsay Walters, a White House spokeswoman, said the delegations exchanged views on achieving a balanced economic relationship, without mentioning further talks. China’s Commerce Ministry said the talks were constructive and the sides would maintain contact, but didn’t give details.

ASIA’S DAY: Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index added 0.9 percent to 22,799.64 and South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.3 percent to 2,299.30. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 2.2 percent to 28,271.27. The Shanghai Composite rebounded 1.9 percent to 2,780.90. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.3 percent to 6,268.87. Taiwan’s benchmark rose and Southeast Asian indexes were mostly higher.

ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude dropped 2 cents to $68.70 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, which is used to price international oils, also fell 2 cents to trade at $75.80 a barrel in London.

CURRENCIES: The euro was steady at $1.1627 while the dollar fell 0.2 percent to 111.01 yen.

Source: https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/global-stocks-push-higher-after-feds-powell-reassures

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The post Global stocks push higher after Fed’s Powell reassures first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Shanghai Composite - Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

Chinese markets’ 2018 performance was their worst in a decade

Trade war with Washington

Domestic economy woes

Global stocks push higher after Fed’s Powell reassures