Broad Sector Gains Lift Hang Seng to 6-Week High as 2026 Opens

2026-01-02 08:17 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

The Hang Seng surged 708 points, or 2.8%, to finish at a six-week high of 26,384 on Friday, the first trading day of a new year, rebounding from previous weakness amid widespread sector strength.

Hong Kong’s tech index jumped 3.6% after DeepSeek launched a paper on cheaper AI development, reigniting optimism over Chinese tech sector.

Consumer, tech, and property stocks also rallied after President Xi Jinping signaled more proactive macro policies in 2026 to sustain momentum following around 5% growth last year.

Baidu soared 8.8% as its unit Kunlunxin announced plans for a Hong Kong listing.

Meanwhile, Hua Hong Semiconductor spiked 12.8% before easing after unveiling a CNY 7.6 billion private placement to fund projects and repay debt.

Meanwhile, Shanghai Biren Technology more than doubled on its Hong Kong debut, marking the financial hub’s first listing of 2026 with a strong start.

For the week, Hong Kong markets surged 2.0%, after closing 2025 with their best annual gain since 2017.



News Stream
Hang Seng Slips 0.6% This week
The Hang Seng slid 292 points, or 1.1%, to close at 26,413 on Friday, retreating from the prior session’s strength as tech and consumer stocks slumped. Risk sentiment weakened after Wall Street Thursday was pressured by renewed concerns over private credit and escalating U.S.–Iran tensions, with President Trump saying he will decide within 10 days whether to strike Iran. The tech index dropped nearly 3% as traders positioned ahead of Nvidia’s earnings next week. Simultaneously, consumer shares fell sharply despite signs of strong travel demand during China’s Spring Festival. Still, property stocks edged higher on hopes that Beijing will roll out post-holiday support measures, ahead of a top legislature meeting in early March. Meanwhile, mainland markets will reopen on Tuesday. Major laggards included Xiaomi Corp. (-3.5%), SMIC (-2.7%), Techtronic Industries (-2.5%), and Tencent (-2.0%). For the week, the Hang Seng lost 0.6%, after a muted performance in the previous period.
2026-02-20
Hong Kong Stocks Slide as Trading Resumes Post-Holiday
Hong Kong stocks dipped 233 points, or 0.9%, to 26,469 in early Friday trade, reversing gains from the prior session as markets reopened after the Lunar New Year break. Sentiment was dampened with mainland exchanges closed all week, while global risk appetite weakened amid a U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and a sharp selloff in private equity stocks that rattled Wall Street overnight. Locally, investors anticipated the release of January’s jobless rate later today, following three straight periods at 3.8%. Still, losses were capped by optimism about solid travel demand and spending in China during the Spring Festival. Tech and consumer names led declines in the Hang Seng index, offset partly by strength in property and financials. Major laggards included Pop Mart Intl. (-3.3%), Xiaomi (-3.2%), Kuaishou Tech (-3.0%), and Tencent (-2.3%). For the week, markets are on track for a drop, down around 0.6% so far, following a subdued performance in the prior period.
2026-02-20
Hang Seng Closes 0.5% Higher in Holiday-Shortened Trading
The Hang Seng gained 139 points, or 0.5%, to finish at 26,706 on Monday, swinging from two days of losses as all sectors advanced. Trading was thin ahead of the Spring Festival break, but market participants took fresh positions on signs of easing Sino-U.S. tensions after Washington delayed key tech security measures ahead of an April meeting between President Trump and President Xi. Expectations also grew that weak January CPI and ongoing producer deflation in China will spur Beijing to unveil post-holiday support measures. Hong Kong markets will be shut from Tuesday and reopen on Friday, while mainland bourses are already on a week-long break. U.S. markets are also closed today for a holiday. Leading gainers included China Hongqiao Group (3.9%), Techtronic Industries (3.5%), AIA Group (2.6%), Nongfu Spring (1.9%), and Pop Mart Intl. (1.5%).
2026-02-16