Investors are increasingly attracted to China, showcasing a rising enthusiasm despite the complex economic challenges it shares with countries like the USA. Initially, there was widespread panic at the start of the year, but this sentiment has swiftly transformed into one of optimism. The stock markets in Hong Kong and mainland cities such as Shenzhen and Beijing are currently flourishing, illustrated by their green-lit trading boards indicating positive growth.
The Hang Seng index, in particular, has performed exceptionally well this year, surpassing major global indices like the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and DAX. It has achieved an impressive rise of over 10% from the beginning of the year and more than 20% from the year's lowest points, reaching heights not observed since the summer of 2023. All categories of Chinese assets are experiencing gains, including the yuan, which had previously shown signs of weakening over an extended period.
According to financial analysts at UBS, these increases in China are driven by speculative foreign capital, particularly from hedge funds, buoyed by a solidifying economic base that underpins potential recovery. The overall mood among the Chinese is quite buoyant as they have numerous reasons for optimism.
In contrast to Europe's dismal economic performance, China's manufacturing sector has been thriving, with activity accelerating at its quickest pace in over a year during April. The Caixin/S&P Global Manufacturing PMI index increased slightly to 51.4 in April, up from 51.1 in March, marking the sixth consecutive month of manufacturing expansion. This growth is particularly characterized by a robust uptick in new export orders, signaling strengthening global demand for Chinese products.
The PMI indicators continue to show improvement, and the reported annual GDP growth rate of 5.3%—though officially stated, is commonly accepted to be an underestimate of the true economic performance. The real situation seems more positive, as evidenced by the rising prices of commodities such as copper and steel. Additionally, retail sales in China have been exceeding expectations, suggesting a healthy consumer sector.
This economic uptick is partly fueled by a targeted governmental stimulus, which, although modest, is beginning to effectively stimulate the economy. This is a stark contrast to earlier this year, when there were fears of an industrial disaster and potential deflation, showing that China is on a path of steady economic recovery.
Investor interest has also shifted geographically over the past few months. Initially, there was a rush towards Indian markets, where stocks were bought in large volumes. However, as valuations in India have risen, making these stocks seem overpriced, investors have started to shift their focus back to China.
Additionally, the yuan, which has been weak, shows signs of stabilization, indicating a possible trend reversal. This suggests that local investors are also strategizing to hedge against further depreciation of the yuan, a move that could safeguard their assets and potentially reap significant returns from the lucrative export sector. The difference in bond yields between China and the U.S. is widening, with China engaging in economic stimuli while the U.S. experiences historically high interest rates.
Investing in Chinese stocks now could offer investors substantial benefits due to these currency fluctuations. This scenario mirrors current trends in Japan, where despite a weak yen, the Nikkei index is performing remarkably well. An extreme contrast is seen in Argentina, where despite economic volatility, the MERVAL stock index has reached record highs.
The overall investment climate in China is increasingly favorable, further enhanced by regulatory improvements aimed at boosting market standards. These regulations are designed to enhance dividend policies and share repurchase strategies of companies, as well as to improve shareholder communications, making Chinese stocks more attractive to foreign investors.
Major financial institutions such as UBS, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs have been vocal throughout the year about the improving risk-to-reward ratios for investments in China, which are becoming more enticing as the market begins to reflect these positive changes. The sustained improvements suggest that China's economic growth might not only be robust but also long-lasting.
The current bull market in China could potentially continue to thrive, barring any significant geopolitical disruptions or a downturn in the global economic environment, which currently remains quiet, further boosting market confidence.
05.05.2024
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