The Shangai Composite Index Closes 0.74% Higher

The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.7% to end at 4,056, hitting a fresh four-week high, while the Shenzhen Component climbed 2.1% to 14,796 on Thursday, rebounding to its strong January 2022 level, as better-than-expected first-quarter economic growth boosted sentiment. China’s economy expanded 5% in the first quarter, accelerating from 4.5% in the prior quarter and beating expectations, as stronger exports helped offset still-muted domestic demand. Activity data for March painted a mixed picture, with industrial production holding up better than expected even as retail sales softened and unemployment edged higher. On the geopolitical front, Israel is weighing a possible ceasefire in Lebanon, while US President Donald Trump said the broader war with Iran could end soon as efforts to extend a fragile truce and restart negotiations continue. Notable gains were seen from Contemporary Amperex (5.5%), Zhongji Innolight (3.8%), Foxconn Industrial (2.6%), BYD (2.4%), and Zijin Mining (1.1%).

The Shangai Composite Index went up by 30 points or 0.74 percent on Thursday to close at 4057 points. The rise was led by Aluminum Corporation of China (3.90%), Hengli Petrochemical (2.66%) and Yonghui Superstore (1.53%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were China Fortune (-2.14%), China CITIC Bank (-1.66%) and Greenland Holdings (-1.33%).

The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.2% to above 4,000, hitting a fresh one-month high, while the Shenzhen Component Index climbed over 1.1% to 14,600, moving back toward its strong January 2022 level, supported by optimism over renewed US–Iran negotiations and upbeat domestic economic data. China’s economy expanded 5% in the first quarter, accelerating from 4.5% in the prior quarter and slightly beating expectations, as stronger exports helped offset still-muted domestic demand. Activity data for March painted a mixed picture, with industrial production holding up better than expected even as retail sales softened and unemployment edged higher. Meanwhile, global sentiment improved as the US and Iran are considering extending their two-week ceasefire to allow more time for talks, even as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed under a dual blockade. Among individual stocks, notable gains were seen in Contemporary Amperex (5.5%), BYD (1.9%), and Zijin Mining (0.9%).