Hong Kong Markets Set for Third Weekly Decline

Equities in Hong Kong fell 111 points, or 0.4%, to 25,392 in early Friday trade, extending losses from the previous session as weakness in tech and consumer stocks weighed on the market. Sentiment remained fragile after a negative lead from Wall Street overnight, with oil price volatility curbing expectations for Fed rate cuts. On the policy front, China’s central bank left its key lending rates unchanged at record lows for a tenth straight month in March 2026, in a cautious move as Middle East tensions may cloud the inflation outlook. Meanwhile, Beijing’s 2026 growth target of 4.5%–5%, its weakest since 1991, suggests less urgency for broad stimulus. Markets are now on track for a third straight weekly loss, down about 0.3% so far. Concerns over Hong Kong’s IPO pipeline, amid Beijing's tighter scrutiny of offshore-incorporated Chinese firms, added pressure. Among notable laggards were Xiaomi Corp. (-6.4%), Laopu Gold (-4.2%), China Unicom (-2.7%), and SITC Intl. Holdings (-2.3%).

The Hang Seng tumbled 525 points, or 2.0%, to end at 25,500 on Thursday, ending a three-day advance as fears of a prolonged Middle East conflict fueled stagflation concerns. Energy infrastructure strikes kept crude prices elevated, unsettling global markets. Meanwhile, Beijing’s tighter scrutiny of offshore-incorporated Chinese firms seeking Hong Kong listings clouded the city’s IPO outlook. Mainland shares also slid to their lowest since early January. Losses were partly cushioned by expectations that the PBoC will keep lending rates at record lows for a 10th straight month, with the March fixing due Friday. All Hong Kong sectors fell, led by property, financials, and tech. Notable laggards included Knowledge Atlas (-12.5%), Tencent (-7.0%), and China Hongqiao Group (-6.3%). Gold miners also retreated sharply after bullion slipped below USD 5,000 per ounce for the first time in a month, with Zijin Gold Intl. (-9.5%), Zhaojin Mining (-8.6%), and Laopu Gold (-5.5%) among the worst hit.

Hong Kong shares dipped 314 points, or 1.2%, to 25,712 on Thursday morning deals, snapping a three-session advance after Wall Street’s sharp overnight decline. The U.S. Fed left interest rates unchanged Wednesday, as expected, but Chair Jerome Powell warned that surging energy costs tied to Middle East disruptions could fuel inflation. Meanwhile, caution mounted after reports that Beijing is tightening scrutiny of Chinese firms incorporated offshore seeking Hong Kong listings, raising concerns over the city’s IPO pipeline, at least in the near term. Still, losses were partly contained by expectations that the People's Bank of China may keep its key lending rates at record lows for a 10th straight month to support the economy, with the March fixing due Friday. All Hang Seng sectors posted steep losses, led by property, tech, and consumer stocks, as mainland markets also slumped. Major laggards included Zijin Mining (-7.0%), Tencent (-5.7%), China Hongqiao (-3.7%), and SMIC (-3.2%).