Daily Investment Strategy

2023.05.18 09:00

Hang Seng Index fell 417 points on Wednesday

The Hang Seng Index fell 417 points or 2.1% to 19,560 on Wednesday. HSTECH fell 88 points or 2.2% to 3,870 and HSCEI fell 152 points or 2.2% to 6,636. Daily market turnover was HK$101.6bn.

 

U.S. stocks soar Wednesday on optimism over debt ceiling talks

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday as investors hoped congressional leaders and President Joe Biden could reach an agreement on the U.S. debt ceiling and avoid a catastrophic default. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 408.63 points, or 1.24%, to 33,420.77. The S&P 500 rose 1.19% to 4,158.77. The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.28% to 12,500.57. Target Corporation, which was the first to report earnings from major retailers, closed up 2.6%. The company reported better-than-expected first-quarter results but a disappointing second-quarter profit outlook. As inflation forced consumers to spend more on household essentials, they delayed some non-essential purchases. Shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation rose 14%, leading gains among other regional banks, after it released its latest deposit data. The company's deposits continued to rise in May after banking turmoil rocked the sector in March and April. Shares of other regional banks such as PacWest Bancorp and Zions bancorcorporation rose 18.4 percent and 12 percent, respectively. Tesla rose 4.4% after its annual shareholder meeting the day before. CEO Musk announced that the company will deliver the first Cybertrucks later this year. Musk said that while he expects a downturn in the economy over the next 12 months, Tesla is well positioned for the long term, with earnings reports due on Thursday including those from Walmart, Alibaba and Bath & Body Works.

 

Biden and McCarthy don't think U.S. will default, due to progress in debt talks

At the end of Tuesday's meeting between the president and congressional leaders, House Speaker McCarthy said there was now a "better process" for further negotiations, saying it was “possible to get a deal by the end of the week.” “Now we have a structure to find a way to come to a conclusion,” “I think at the end of the day we do not have a debt default. I think we finally got the president to agree to negotiate.” he said. President Joe Biden echoed that sentiment later in a speech at the White House. “We’re going to come together because these is no alternative,” he said. “Every leader in the room understands the consequences of failure.” Questions remain and he will cut short the remainder of his Asia trip.

Hong Kong Stock Connect had a net inflow of HK$6.77bn on Wednesday, of which Tracker Fund (2800) had the largest net inflow, reaching HK$3.49bn; followed by HSCEI ETF (2828). CCB (939) recorded the largest net outflow at HK$0.30bn, followed by China Telecom (728).

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

Baidu Core delivered a solid performance, with yoy revenue growth accelerating from previous quarters, supporting operating margin improvement through operating leverage. Total revenues were RMB31.1bn, increasing 10% yoy. Revenue from Baidu Core was RMB23bn, increasing 8% yoy, where online marketing revenue was RMB16.6bn, up 6% yoy, mainly benefiting from the recovery of the mainland economy, industries such as tourism, commerce and local services has increased their marketing budgets. Non-online marketing revenue was RMB6.4bn, up 11% yoy. Revenue from iQIYI was RMB8.3bn, increasing 15% year over year. Both the revenue and profit of Baidu beats market expectation, favored by the improved macroeconomic situation and the company's continued efforts to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Looking forward, the new ecosystem created by the ERNIE Bot can provide a more sustainable growth for the Company. Target price: $150; Stop- Loss price: $116.

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