China Stocks Struggle Amid Weak PMI Data

2025-10-31 02:41 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

The Shanghai Composite fell 0.81% to close at 3,955, while the Shenzhen Component dropped 1.14% to 13,378 on Friday, extending losses from the previous session as disappointing manufacturing and services data weighed on sentiment.

Weaker business activity reflected renewed Sino-US trade tensions, sluggish domestic demand, and a prolonged property downturn.

Meanwhile, Presidents Xi and Trump met on Thursday, with Washington agreeing to lower tariffs on Chinese imports and Beijing pledging to curb fentanyl exports, boost US soybean purchases, and suspend rare earth export controls.

However, the outcomes were largely expected, offering limited market lift.

Profit-taking also pressured mainland shares, with tech and AI-related stocks retreating, including Zhongji Innolight (-8.1%), Eoptolink Technology (-7.9%), Foxconn Industrial (-7.7%), Victory Giant (-10.5%), and Cambricon Technologies (-3.3%).

The benchmark indexes ended the week little changed.



News Stream
China Stocks Rise Over 1% to Kick Off April
The Shanghai Composite climbed 1.3% to 3,944 on Wednesday, while the Shenzhen Component gained 1.2% to 13,639, tracking gains across Asian peers as hopes grew for a near-term resolution to the Middle East war. President Trump said US forces would end operations in Iran in two to three weeks, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed willingness to end hostilities if safeguards are in place. Meanwhile, 43 Shanghai- and Shenzhen-listed firms pledged 25.6 billion yuan in share buybacks, the most in nearly a year, as the conflict pressured stock prices. On the economic front, a private survey showed manufacturing PMI fell to 50.8 in March from 52.1 in February, indicating a moderation in factory activity. Financial stocks led gains, with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, China Merchants Bank, and Bank of China rising 0.5% to 1.6%, while technology names such as Zhongji Innolight, Eoptolink Technology, and Naura Technology added 2.6% to 3.5%.
2026-04-01
China Stocks Post Worst Monthly Loss Since 2024
The Shanghai Composite dropped 0.8% to close at 3,892, while the Shenzhen Component fell 1.8% to 13,478 on Tuesday, with both benchmark indices posting their worst monthly performance since January 2024, as a month-long Middle East conflict continued to cast a shadow over market sentiment. Earlier, optimism had emerged in China after official data showed the manufacturing PMI rose to a one-year high of 50.4, while the non-manufacturing PMI edged up to 50.1, suggesting renewed growth across both sectors. However, caution prevailed after President Trump signaled a potential end to US operations against Iran even without reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran struck a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai. Energy stocks posted strong monthly gains, led by PetroChina, which surged 12.3% to its best month since October 2025, and CNOOC, climbing 11.5% to its strongest monthly performance since January. Both benefited from a bullish oil outlook amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
2026-03-31
The Shangai Composite Index Closes 0.73% Lower
The Shangai Composite Index decreased -29 points or 0.73 percent on Tuesday to close at 3895 points. The decline was led by Aluminum Corporation of China (-4.68%), Datang Intl (-4.12%) and Sanan Optoelectron (-4.11%). On the upside, the strongest performers were Huayu Automotive (7.89%), Crrc (4.10%) and Bank Of China (3.70%).
2026-03-31