SHANGHAI: China stocks made a good start on Wednesday, driven by hopes of added stimulus to support a slowing economy. The CSI300 index of the largest companies listed in Shenzhen and Shanghai rose 10.022 points, or 0.41 percent, in the morning session to 2,443.413, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 8.8227 points, or 0.38 percent, to 2,348.4797. Chinese stock markets are usually more responsive to liquidity conditions than economic fundamentals, and stock market investors are closely watching to see whether slowing growth will prompt the central bank to boost money supply through a cut in bank reserve requirement ratios. Mainland markets were lifted in particular by airline stocks, which have been performing strongly in the face of sliding oil prices, which analysts said are being read as positive for profit margins. The Hang Seng Index added 302.57 points, or 1.31 percent, to 23,391.15, with the China Enterprises sub-index outperforming to rise 1.7 percent. The Hang Seng is set for its best daily gain since early September.
Markets, oil drop in Asia but bitcoin edges towards $50,000
HONG KONG: Markets fell in Asia on Friday in holiday-thinned trade with investors awaiting developments in US stimulus talks, while...