Daily Investment Strategy

2024.01.29 09:00

HSI fell 260 points on Friday

The Hang Seng Index opened 52 points lower on Friday, at 16,159 points, and the day's decline widened to 260 points, or 1.6%, to 15,952 points; the H-Share Index fell 108 points, or 1.9%, to 5,360 points; the Hang Seng Technology Index fell 124 points, or 3.7%, reported 3,186 points. The total market turnover was HK$131.6 billion. In the Mainland, 115 domestically produced online games received approval this month, but Tencent (700) followed the market and retreated 2.7%. Last Friday, Lenovo (992) suffered a 9.2% share price fall after an article in the US Newsweek stated that the US government offices should ban the use of Lenovo computers.

 

PCE continued to slow in December

U.S. stocks closed mixed on Friday. The Dow rose 60.30 points, or 0.16%, to 38109.43 points; the Nasdaq fell 55.13 points, or 0.36%, to 15455.36 points; the S&P 500 fell 3.19 points, or 0.07%, reported 4890.97 points. Last week, the S&P 500 index rose 1.06%, the Dow rose 0.65%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.9%. All three major stock indexes posted gains for the third consecutive week. In terms of sectors, chip stock Intel released disappointing first-quarter guidance, and its stock price closed sharply down 11.9%.

 

In terms of economic data, the personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE), which the Federal Reserve focuses on, rose 0.2% month-on-month in December, in line with market expectations. Excluding food and energy factors, core PCE increased by 2.9% year-on-year, slightly lower than market expectations. The lower-than-expected growth rate strengthens the market's view that subsequent inflation trends will continue to slow down, and at the same time increases the possibility of a soft landing for the economy, causing the market to reduce its bets on the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut in March. Market focus turns to next week's Federal Reserve's January monetary policy meeting.

 

Industrial enterprise profit decline narrows to 2.3% in 2023

On Saturday, the National Bureau of Statistics announced that the profits of industrial enterprises fell by 2.3% year-on-year, 2.1 percentage points narrower than the decline in the first 11 months; while the year-on-year growth rate of revenue expanded by 0.1 percentage points from the first 11 months to 1.1%; The operating profit margin for the year was 5.76%, a slight decrease of 0.06 percentage points from the first 11 months. The overall operating profit margin continued to rebound but was still lower than 2022’s level.

 

Hong Kong Stock Connect saw a net inflow of HK$2.15 billion on Friday, of which Tracker Fund (2800) had the largest inflow, reaching HK$1.33 billion; followed by Hang Seng China Enterprises (2828). WuXi Biologics (2269) recorded the largest net outflow of HK$264 million, followed by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (883).

Recommended Stocks
Capture the moment and trade with KGI Asia's insights
Stocks
Recommended
Stocks
Recommended

It is the market consensus that the interest rate cut cycle will begin. AIA’s embedded value (EV) can increase when interest rates fall. Meanwhile, AIA has a solid fundamental when compared to peers. To recap, AIA delivered a 35% increase in VONB to US$994 million in 3Q23, supported by strong performances across its distribution channels, with VONB from the proprietary agency and partnership distribution increased by 27% and 62% respectively. VONB growth was broad-based with double-digit increases from operations in Mainland China, Hong Kong, ASEAN and India. AIA China’s VONB growth was over 20% in 3Q23, an acceleration from the first half. The demand for long-term savings products remained strong, meanwhile, the Group also delivered very strong double-digit VONB growth from critical illness products. Target price: $86; Stop-Loss price: $59.

Wen Kit Kenny is a SFC licensed person accredited to KGI Group to carry on regulated activities (for details, please refer to:https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/indi/AJF244/details). He and/or his associate do not have any financial interest in the recommended issuer or new listing applicant.

The materials contained herein are provided by KGI Asia Limited ("KGI") for information only. While such materials are based on or derived from sources believed to be reliable, KGI makes no representation or warranty (express or implied) as to their accuracy or reliability. Neither the information nor the opinions expressed herein constitute, or are to be construed as, an offer or invitation or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or investments. KGI and its officers, employees, agents and affiliates may have interests in the securities or investments covered herein and accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or consequence whatsoever (whether direct or indirect) resulting from any use of or reliance by you on such materials.

Subscribe to KGI Market Insights Reports
Outperform market and make the best investment decisions