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

The Hang Seng Index fell 1.1%, or 260 points, to 25,307 at the open on Tuesday, as renewed US-Iran tensions pushed oil prices higher and heightened concerns over inflation and further monetary tightening. Brent crude extended its advance after the latest escalation raised risks of prolonged disruptions to energy flow through the Strait of Hormuz. The decline came despite signs of improving Chinese manufacturing activity. China’s RatingDog Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.5 in August from 50.9 in July, pointing to a stronger expansion in private-sector factory activity. Meanwhile, Shein made its long-awaited Hong Kong debut, but shares fell sharply after opening, dropping more than 9% shortly after trading began. The company raised HK$13.6 billion in its IPO at HK$48.56 per share, valuing it at about US$26.5 billion. Renewed weakness in China’s property sector also weighed on sentiment. Notable laggards included Tencent (-2.1%), AIA (-0.2%), Kingboard Laminates (-2.9%), and Meituan (-1.1%).

The Hang Seng Index edged down 0.1%, to close 25,567 on Monday, amid heightened risk aversion as renewed US-Iran tensions raised concerns over higher oil prices and inflation. US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers near the Strait of Hormuz, pushing Brent crude higher and weighing on Asian equities. Hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh also revived expectations of a September US rate hike, with markets pricing a 57% chance of a move. Higher US Treasury yields and a stronger dollar further pressured risk assets, while investors awaited US jobs and inflation data for clues on the Fed’s policy path. Meanwhile, China’s manufacturing PMI rose to 49.8 in August from 49.2 in July, beating expectations of 49.7 but remaining in contraction for a second consecutive month. The non-manufacturing PMI held at 49.0. Notable losers included Tencent (-0.9%), China Resources Land (-2.8%), AIA (-1.7%), Lenovo (-1.3%), and Zijin Gold International (-8.1%).

The Hang Seng Index edged up 0.1%, or 19 points, to close at 25,585 on Friday as strong global technology sentiment following Nvidia’s upbeat earnings and outlook provided support, while investors awaited Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s speech at the Jackson Hole symposium later in the day. Nvidia’s results reinforced expectations for robust AI infrastructure demand, supporting Hong Kong’s tech-heavy market despite concerns over the sustainability of AI spending. Meanwhile, caution ahead of Warsh’s speech kept investors focused on clues about the Fed’s rate outlook. Among stocks, Meituan was also in focus ahead of its second-quarter results due later in the day, with investors watching margins amid intense competition and subsidies following its third consecutive quarterly loss in Q1. Notable gainers included Tencent (+1.7%), Kingboard Laminates (+2.8%), Xiaomi (+1.2%), and AIA Group (+1.1%). However, for the week to date, the benchmark is down 1.6%.