China’s recovery is gathering strength, say Finbarr Bermingham and Amanda Lee in the South China Morning Post. Industrial production continues to lead the way, rising by 5.6% in August on a year before. There are also signs of a consumer rebound: retail sales advanced by 0.5% on the year in August, the first growth recorded this year.
China is the only big economy the International Monetary Fund thinks will expand this year. The encouraging economic backdrop means the bulls are out in force. The benchmark CSI 300 stock market index has gained 12% so far this year and is up by 32% since 23 March.
The rally has brought plenty of signs of excess. Shares on the Star market, a technology-focused equivalent to America’s Nasdaq, have been trading at “huge premiums” to “near-identical” stocks listed in Hong Kong, says Xie Yu in The Wall Street Journal. The fact that local investors are willing to pay up to five times as much as offshore buyers for the same assets suggests a speculative frenzy. However, regulators intervened to cool excesses over the summer, with the CSI 300 now off 3% from a mid-July high. The Star market froth makes more sense than you think, says Shuli Ren on Bloomberg. Too often foreign investors think China is “just another growing emerging market” with a rising middle class.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
That prompts them to buy into consumer stocks such as Luckin Coffee (which later turned out to be a fraud). Locals, by contrast, know that nothing is as solid as a sector that has almost unconditional government backing: pricey technology firms. Chinese markets are driven by retail investors and can provide a wild ride. But authorities tend to step in if they fall too far. In a lousy year for the global economy, China’s markets are a rare bright spot.
-
Millions at risk of 'unnecessary' tax bill – how to shield your savingsMillions of Brits could be taxed on their savings interest this year as their savings interest exceeds the personal savings allowance. Are you at risk?
-
Savers will have to wait as long as 48 years to build a £1m cash ISA pot if allowance is cutChancellor Rachel Reeves is rumoured to be planning a cut to the cash ISA allowance in the Autumn Budget, making it harder for savers to build wealth. Will you still be able to build a £1 million cash ISA pot?
-
Chen Zhi: the kingpin of a global conspiracyChen Zhi appeared to be a business prodigy investing in everything from real estate to airlines. Prosecutors allege he is the head of something more sinister
-
Canada will be a winner in this new era of deglobalisation and populismGreg Eckel, portfolio manager at Canadian General Investments, selects three Canadian stocks
-
Jim O’Neill on nearly 25 years of the BRICSJim O’Neill, who coined the acronym BRICS in 2001, tells MoneyWeek how the group is progressing
-
Circle sets a new gold standard for cryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencies have existed in a kind of financial Wild West. No longer – they are entering the mainstream, and US-listed Circle is ideally placed to benefit
-
8 of the best converted industrial properties for saleThe best converted industrial properties for sale – from a Victorian railway station in Norfolk to a Grade II-listed former water tower with views of the River Alde
-
More clouds gather over renewable energy trusts – is there any hope for the sector?The outlook for renewable energy trusts has gone from bad to worse this year, with the industry being caught in a 'perfect storm'
-
Should ISA investors be forced to hold UK shares?The UK government would like ISA investors to hold more UK stocks – but many of us are already overexposed
-
Why Scotland's proposed government bonds are a terrible investmentOpinion Politicians in Scotland pushing for “kilts” think it will strengthen the case for independence and boost financial credibility. It's more likely to backfire
