Dernières nouvelles pour iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:MCHI)

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The fund generally will invest at least 90% of its assets in the component securities of the underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of the underlying index. The index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the performance of equity securities in the top 85% in market capitalization of the Chinese equity securities markets, as represented by the H-shares and B-shares markets. The fund is non-diversified.

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China&#39;s economy has struggled in recent months amid a depressed level of consumer confidence and a devastating housing bust coupled with weak credit demand. Late in September&mdash;just after the U.S. Federal Reserve announced its first federal funds rate cut in several years&mdash;the People&#39;s Bank of China unveiled a three-part monetary stimulus program to reduce reserve requirement ratios (the amount of cash banks are required to keep on hand), mortgage rates and down payment requirements, and more.
Some economists view monetary easing of this kind as limited in its potential impact during an economic downturn. Still, the immediate response of Chinese markets to the announcement has been a flurry of activity and a significant rally. The CSI 300, an index representing 300 of the largest publicly traded, Chinese-listed companies, is up by nearly 24% in the last month. Following the stimulus reveal, it had its&nbsp;single best day in nearly two decades.
A dip in Hong Kong stocks late in September prompted investors to speculate about how long the rally would continue. Indeed, consensus seems to be growing that a sharp reversal may be in store at some point if the stimulus measures are deemed to be ineffective overall. Still, there are several companies investors may wish to focus on during the boom.
<h2>NIO: Jolt for EV Maker</h2>
The Chinese government&#39;s stimulus package has helped to propel EV maker NIO Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nio#NYSE">NIO</a>) upward by more than 55% in the last month, though the stock remains down more than a quarter overall in the last year.
Besides the boost tied with the broader Chinese equities space, NIO has experienced added momentum thanks to its late-September announcement of a RMB3.3 billion investment in its NIO China subsidiary from external investors, alongside a commitment of an additional RMB10 billion that NIO itself will make.
Still, investors should exercise caution when it comes to NIO shares. Despite surging in recent weeks, the company faces stiff competition domestically and unfavorable tariffs in other parts of the world that are likely to limit its ability to undercut the Model Y from competitor Tesla Inc.&nbsp;with its new affordable ONVO L60 offering.
<h2>TME: Earnings and Cash Flow Growth</h2>
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tme#NYSE">TME</a>), the online music and entertainment streaming platform provider, has massive earnings growth potential. Analysts project 27.4% earnings growth this year, far ahead of the wider industry.&nbsp;The company already posted a 33.1% year-over-year improvement in net profit&nbsp;in the latest quarter, driven by an increase in online music subscribers and improved retention rates.
Tencent has coupled this rapid bottom-line growth with steady improvement in cash flow as well, allowing the company to sustainably expand its operations. If China&#39;s stimulus program is effective at boosting consumer spending, Tencent is likely to be a major recipient.
<h2>MCHI: Broad Market Coverage and Attractive Liquidity</h2>
Investors looking to lean toward Chinese equities more broadly and without focusing on a single firm may look to the iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mchi#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>). This fund provides wide exposure to nearly 600 large-cap Chinese firms.
While it is not the cheapest broad-based China-focused ETF based on expense ratio, it provides superior liquidity and a strong asset base relative to some of its less-expensive competitors.
MCHI is up by more than a third in the last year, sharply outpacing the CSI 300 during that same period.
<h2>Impact of Additional Stimulus Measures</h2>
China&#39;s government spending is currently below budget&nbsp;due to minimal capital investment projects and a lack of government revenue. In response, the government is&nbsp;reportedly considering issuing about $284 billion in special sovereign bonds in the coming weeks. This would likely further boost the Chinese economy, particularly in&nbsp;household consumption and at the local government level.
In the meantime, China&#39;s economy is not out of trouble just yet. Investors should be cautious about the rapid uptick in many Chinese equities and keep in mind that the rally may be short-lived. Still, some individual companies&mdash;and even the broader Chinese market&mdash;may still offer room for growth. Indeed, some non-Chinese companies also stand to benefit from a continued rally thanks to this stimulus package.
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/stock-ideas/key-stocks-to-ride-chinas-stimulus-driven-growth/">3 Key Stocks to Ride China&#39;s Stimulus-Driven Growth</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

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MCHI

3 Key Stocks to Ride China's Stimulus-Driven Growth

The Chinese market, which reopened on Tuesday after a weeklong public holiday, was pressured on Wednesday as domestic traders did not get the additional stimulus they had factored in. Come Thursday, things took a turn for the better as the People&#8217;s Bank of China announced measures to boost the stability of the domestic equity market.
What Happened: In a statement released on its website, the PBoC said it has decided to establish the &#8220;Securities, Funds and Insurance Companies Swap Facility,&#8221; or SFISF, to support qualified securities, funds and insurance companies to exchange bonds, stock exchange-traded funds and CSI 300 constituent stocks and other assets for high-grade liquid assets such as Treasury bonds and central bank bills from the central bank. 
The scale of operation during the first phase is 500 billion yuan ($70.7 billion) and this could be expanded further depending on the situation, the central bank said. Applications from qualified securities, funds and insurance companies will be accepted with immediate effect, it said.
The central bank clarified that the new measure is in order to implement the requirements of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee regarding &#8220;establishing a long-term mechanism to enhance the inherent stability of the capital market&#8221; and promote the healthy and stable development of the capital market.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-chinese-stocks">Best Chinese Stocks</a>
Thursday&#8217;s announcement comes on top of the liquidity-boosting measures the central bank announced in late September regarding cutting the reserve requirement ratio, which is the amount of cash banks must hold as reserves, by 50 basis points freeing up about 1 trillion yuan for new lending.
The central bank hinted at the possibility of reducing it by a further 0.25-0.50% points. It also said it would lower the seven-day repo rate by 0.2 points, the interest rate on a medium-term lending facility by about 30 basis points and loan prime rates by 20-25 basis points.
Market Reacts: The Shanghai Composite Index &#8211; the key market gauge of mainland China, rallied strongly following the fresh stimulus. After opening at 3,277.69, modestly higher than the previous close of 3,258.86, the index gave back its gains in early trading and moved below the unchanged line.
Following PBoC&#8217;s announcement, the index recovered. At last check, it traded 2.92% higher at 3,353.91.
Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng Index also rallied over 4%.
US-listed Stocks Rip Higher: U.S.-listed Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong reflected the buoyancy and were sharply higher by mid-day on Thursday. Among the gainers are:
<ul>
<li>Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) gained 4.28%.</li>
<li>XPeng, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NYSE">XPEV</a>) jumped 9.50%.</li>
<li>Li Auto, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>) rose 5.96%.</li>
<li>Nio, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) added 6%.</li>
<li>JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>) climbed 5.63%.</li>
<li>Tencent Holdings Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCEHY#OTC">TCEHY</a>) moved up 1.98%.</li>
<li>Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>) moved up 2.47%.</li>
</ul>
The iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) ended Wednesday&#8217;s session down 2.36% at $51.97, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro data.</a>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41182930/china-was-tipping-into-a-japan-style-lost-decade-of-deflation-and-stagnation-before-late-septemb">China Was Tipping Into A Japan-Style &#8216;Lost Decade&#8217; Of Deflation And Stagnation Before Late-September Stimulus Announcements, Says Legal Expert</a></li>
</ul>
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Alibaba, JD.com, XPeng Soar In Hong Kong As PBOC's Fresh Stimulus To Boost Stock Market Sends Chinese Main Stock Market Gauge Up By 3%

China stocks are moving lower on Wednesday as investors moderate expectations for a swift Chinese economic recovery <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41227136/chinese-stocks-plunge-as-stimulus-hopes-fade-hong-kong-posts-worst-daily-decline-si">bolstered by stimulus measures</a>. 
What To Know: China markets had been on a tear in recent weeks after China introduced its most aggressive stimulus measures since the pandemic and vowed to deploy "necessary fiscal spending" to meet its economic growth target of 5%.
The rally was buoyed further after measures were announced to allow for the refinancing of mortgages, giving home buyers immediate benefits from lower interest rates, as China attempts to revive an economy that has battled deflationary pressures and growth headwinds due to property declines and wavering consumer confidence.
Following a week-long holiday break, mainland Chinese stocks popped as they resumed trading on Tuesday before the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41227136/chinese-stocks-plunge-as-stimulus-hopes-fade-hong-kong-posts-worst-daily-decline-si">stimulus-backed rally fizzled</a> and stocks finished the day sharply lower. Weakness has continued into Wednesday after a meeting of China&#8217;s National Development and Reform Commission offered no significant stimulus details, per Reuters. 
Economic planner chairman Zheng Shanjie reportedly told reporters that China remains &#8220;fully confident&#8221; it will reach its economic targets and will pull forward funds from next year&#8217;s budget to invest and support local governments.
Rong Ren, portfolio manager of Eastspring Investments in Singapore believes Zheng&#8217;s comments fell short of expectations. 
&#8220;Markets were hoping to obtain some guidance on the size of fiscal stimulus,&#8221; the portfolio manager said. &#8220;It is likely we see markets consolidating and digesting what has already been announced, which arguably is meaningful, but not quite enough to satiate lofty expectations.&#8221;
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41246126/ray-dalio-issues-stark-warning-as-investors-get-optimistic-about-china-again-theres-something-bi">Ray Dalio Issues Stark Warning As Investors Get Optimistic About China Again: &#8216;There&#8217;s Something Big Going On&#8230;&#8217;</a>
Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng fell 1.38%, the Shanghai Composite dove 6.62% and the blue-chip CSI300 plunged 7.39% on Wednesday. The IShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) was down 2.33% and the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) was down 1.06%. 
U.S.-listed Chinese stocks were also facing selling pressure at the time of writing. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) shares were down 1.86% at $107.63, Baidu Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>) shares were down 1.87% at $104.10, JD.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>) shares were down 2.22% at $42.58 and PDD Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>) shares were down 2.46% at $141.26. 
Some China-based EV names were also seeing weakness including NIO Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>), which was down 1.74% at $6.13, and Li Auto Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>), which was down 3.28% at $27.13 at last check.
Reuters reported that investor attention is now shifting to a news conference scheduled for Saturday with China&#8217;s finance ministry. The conference is expected to focus on fiscal stimulus to boost the economy. 
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41223469/china-rallies-to-2-year-high-europe-slips-dollar-softens-global-markets-today-while-us-slept">China Rallies To 2-Year High, Europe Slips, Dollar Softens &#8211; Global Markets Today While US Slept</a></li>
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China Stock Rally Loses Steam As Investor Optimism Subsides: 'Not Quite Enough To Satiate Lofty Expectations'

Renowned investor Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, has raised concerns about the complexities of investing in China amid the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41207547/dont-bet-on-chinas-economic-stimulus-yet-as-yuan-faces-volatility-amid-us-election-jobs-data-analyst">country&#8217;s shifting economic policies</a>.
What Happened: Speaking at the Greenwich Economic Forum, Dalio highlighted the challenges posed by Beijing&#8217;s changing stance on capitalism, which has led to significant structural changes in the Chinese economy, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/08/ray-dalio-china-investing-is-tricky-as-beijing-turns-less-favorable-to-capitalism.html">reported</a> CNBC.
"There's something big going on that they had a debt crisis and they also had a capitalism crisis. Are they … favorable to capitalism as we knew it before? I do not believe they are in the same way," Dalio said. 
Dalio pointed out that the Chinese government aims to maintain strict control over the economy, which has impacted investor sentiment. 
The recent enthusiasm for Chinese investments was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41227136/chinese-stocks-plunge-as-stimulus-hopes-fade-hong-kong-posts-worst-daily-decline-si">tempered when officials did not announce specific stimulus</a> measures.
Despite expectations for economic revival through policy actions like interest rate cuts, the Chinese markets have seen reduced momentum. The CSI 300 index, which had previously surged over 10%, saw its gains <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41243227/chinese-stocks-plunge-as-hang-seng-drops-1-39-extending-volatile-streak-tech-giants-jd-com-alibaba-b">shrink to 5% on Tuesday</a>.
Dalio advised investors to avoid focusing on daily market fluctuations. Meanwhile, hedge funds have been increasing their investments in Chinese stocks, anticipating further stimulus. David Tepper of Appaloosa Management expressed optimism, stating he is heavily investing in China due to recent government support. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41220350/tesla-traders-wild-bet-on-elon-musks-company-ends-in-a-306m-lawsuit-spiral?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Trader&#8217;s Wild Bet On Elon Musk&#8217;s Company Ends In A $306M Lawsuit Spiral</a>
Why It Matters: China&#8217;s economic landscape has been marked by volatility and rapid changes in recent months. A <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41213691/fast-and-furious-rally-pushes-chinese-stocks-to-double-s-p-500-performance-year-to-date">dramatic rally</a> in Chinese equities occurred in early October, driven by aggressive monetary easing policies and government commitments to stabilize the property sector. 
This surge saw the MSCI China Index tracked by the iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) outperform other major global markets, doubling the year-to-date gains of the S&amp;P 500,&nbsp;as tracked by the&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>).
However, this optimism was short-lived, as Chinese stocks experienced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41243227/chinese-stocks-plunge-as-hang-seng-drops-1-39-extending-volatile-streak-tech-giants-jd-com-alibaba-b">sharp selloff</a> on Wednesday, with the Hang Seng Index continuing a volatile trend across Asia-Pacific markets. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong dropped 1.39% to 20,635.11, following Tuesday's devastating 9.41% plunge — its worst single-day loss since the 2008 financial crisis.
Tech giants faced significant losses <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41243227/chinese-stocks-plunge-as-hang-seng-drops-1-39-extending-volatile-streak-tech-giants-jd-com-alibaba-b">during the downturn on Wednesday</a>, with JD.com (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>) plummeting 7.52% on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Alibaba Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) followed with a decline of 2.75%, while Baidu (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>) lost 1.65% on HKEX. Tencent (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCEHY#OTC">TCEHY</a>) also experienced a downturn, declining by 1.32%.
Dalio&#8217;s insights come at a time when investors like Michael Burry have made <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/08/40386342/big-short-fame-michael-burry-bets-big-on-china-reveals-alibaba-as-top-holding-jd-com-and-baidu-also">significant bets on Chinese stocks</a>, as seen in his hedge fund&#8217;s latest portfolio shift. The evolving economic strategies in China, including potential &#8220;beautiful deleveraging,&#8221; as Dalio previously noted, continue to shape <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41157439/ray-dalio-sees-potential-for-beautiful-deleveraging-in-xi-jinpings-economic-strategy-for-china">the investment landscape</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41201263/meta-stock-returns-pale-next-to-peter-thiels-secretive-data-company-even-as-mark-zuckerberg-comp?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meta Stock Returns Pale Next To Peter Thiel&#8217;s Secretive Data Company Even As Mark Zuckerberg Company&#8217;s AI Advancements Generate Excitement</a></li>
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

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BABAF

Ray Dalio Issues Stark Warning As Investors Get Optimistic About China Again: 'There's Something Big Going On...'

After weeks of soaring performance that positioned Chinese stocks among the best global performers year-to-date, a sharp selloff swept across Chinese markets overnight, with the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong plummeting more <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41213691/fast-and-furious-rally-pushes-chinese-stocks-to-double-s-p-500-performance-year-to-date">than 9% on Tuesday. </a>
The massive drop marks the index&#8217;s worst single-day loss since October 2008, during the height of the global financial crisis.
In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite Index also faced intense volatility but managed to close 4.6% higher after fluctuating wildly throughout the day, following a holiday week. 
Investors, previously riding the rally, rushed to lock in profits, dampened by disappointment over the lack of aggressive fiscal stimulus announcements from Chinese officials.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lack of Bold Stimulus Disappoints Investors</h3>
The sharp downturn was driven by growing disillusionment with Beijing&#8217;s latest policy measures, or rather, the absence of any major new stimulus. 
Hopes had been high that the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) would unveil bold fiscal support to bolster the economy, but no such plans materialized.
Zheng Shanjie, chairman of the NDRC, addressed the nation in a media briefing, reiterating that China is on track to achieve its 5% GDP growth target for the year.
However, while acknowledging the economy's challenges in the face of a &#8220;more complex and extreme&#8221; global environment, the only concrete measures announced were a front-loaded 100 billion yuan ($14.1 billion) budget from 2025 and another 100 billion yuan for construction projects. Investors had expected far more robust action, including trillions in new bond issuances and initiatives to stimulate consumption.
The muted response from Beijing rattled the markets. 
&#8220;While Chinese officials discussed hitting growth targets, they didn't address further stimulus measures. The markets want their lifeline!&#8221; wrote macroeconomist Ayesha Tariq, summarizing the frustration.
Goldman Sachs analyst Lisheng Wang highlighted that some investors had been expecting concrete stimulus measures ahead of the NDRC press conference, so the lack of any major announcements came as a letdown. 
&#8220;We believe any large stimulus package would require joint efforts from key ministries and significant fiscal resources,&#8221; Wang wrote, adding that major measures—such as a central government special bond issuance—could still be announced later in the year.
Goldman Sachs anticipates that China may approve an additional 1-2 trillion yuan in ultra-long-term government bonds by year-end to support debt swaps and maintain a fiscal easing stance in 2025.
Despite the initial disappointment, Goldman Sachs remains optimistic that further steps to boost domestic demand, stabilize inflation, and rebuild market confidence are still on the horizon.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41222716/as-florida-prepares-for-one-of-deadliest-hurricanes-here-are-some-potential-stock-winners-and-lo">As Florida Prepares For One Of Deadliest Hurricanes, Here Are Some Potential Stock Winners And Losers From Milton Threat</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions: Offshore Chinese Equities Tumble</h2>
Chinese stocks trading in offshore markets, such as those in Hong Kong and New York, were the hardest hit. 
These stocks are heavily owned by foreign investors, making them more sensitive to shifts in risk sentiment. The combination of profit-taking after weeks of gains and the lack of immediate fiscal stimulus sent these shares plummeting.
Shares of Chinese tech giants listed in Hong Kong—such as Tencent Holdings, Xiaomi, and electric vehicle maker BYD—fell more than 8%. Heavily indebted property developer Country Garden Services Holdings plummeted by 15%.
The selloff extended to U.S.-listed Chinese stocks during premarket trading on Tuesday, where major names tumbled sharply:
<ul>
<li>Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TME#NYSE">TME</a>) -10.4%</li>
<li>Li Auto Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>) -9.7%</li>
<li>XPeng Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NYSE">XPEV</a>) -8.6%</li>
<li>PDD Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>) -8.4%</li>
<li>NIO Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) -7.6%</li>
<li>JD.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>) -7.6%</li>
<li>Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>) -7.4%</li>
<li>NetEase Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTES#NASDAQ">NTES</a>) -6.3%</li>
<li>Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) -5.6%</li>
</ul>
Exchange-traded funds tracking Chinese equities also took a major hit:
<ul>
<li>iShares MSCI China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NYSE">MCHI</a>) -10%</li>
<li>KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) -9.7%</li>
<li>iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXI#NYSE">FXI</a>) -8.3%</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What Comes Next?</h3>
With investors eagerly awaiting further developments, the next few weeks will be critical for China&#8217;s stock markets. Analysts are watching closely for announcements from ad-hoc government meetings and the upcoming National People&#8217;s Congress standing committee session, where more concrete fiscal actions could be unveiled.
Another major global event impacting China markets will be the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5.
Looking further ahead, early to mid-December will see another Politburo meeting, specifically on economic policies, followed by the Central Economic Work Conference in mid to late December, where China&#8217;s broader economic strategy for the next year could be laid out.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41218388/november-fed-rate-cut-in-jeopardy-12-reasons-veteran-trader-expects-a-hold-as-stron">November Fed Rate Cut In Jeopardy: 12 Reasons Veteran Trader Expects A Hold As Strong Data, Rising Oil Prices Shuffle The Deck</a></li>
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NTES

Chinese Stocks Plunge As Stimulus Hopes Fade: Hong Kong Posts Worst Daily Decline Since October 2008

The much-anticipated announcement of plans to stimulate China&#8217;s flagging economy failed to meet investor expectations, causing a short-lived stock market rally.
What Happened: After the Golden Week holiday, shares surged by over 10% as trading resumed. However, the excitement was fleeting. The Shanghai Composite Index in mainland China ended the day 4.6% higher, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell by 9.4% after a press conference by China&#8217;s economic planners, as per a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41213691/fast-and-furious-rally-pushes-chinese-stocks-to-double-s-p-500-performance-year-to-date">report</a> by the BBC on Tuesday.
Investors were left seeking more specifics on how the government plans to stimulate economic growth. 
This comes after investors poured $5.2 billion in new assets last week following Beijing&#8217;s announcement of stimulus measures, Reuters reported on Tuesday
Data from Morningstar reveals that the $5.2 billion inflow for the week ending Oct. 4 contrasts sharply with an average weekly outflow of $83 million in 2024. This also marked the largest one-day rally in Chinese stocks since 2008.
Funds like Blackrock&#8217;s iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXI#NYSE">FXI</a>) and KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) saw significant inflows. However, as per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>, on Tuesday during the pre-market hours, FXI was trading 8.37% lower while KWEB was down by 10.14%.
Similarly, iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) was down by 10.59% while Franklin FTSE China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FLCH#NYSE">FLCH</a>) was 9.26% down. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41130855/whats-going-on-with-futu-holdings-stock?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What&#8217;s Going On With Futu Holdings&#8217; Stock?</a>
Why It Matters: The recent surge in Chinese stocks has been described as a &#8220;fast and furious rally,&#8221; with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41213691/fast-and-furious-rally-pushes-chinese-stocks-to-double-s-p-500-performance-year-to-date">MSCI China Index</a> climbing over 35% between Sep. 24 and Oct. 7. This rally has outpaced other major global markets and more than doubled the year-to-date gains of the S&amp;P 500. The rise has been fueled by aggressive monetary easing policies and renewed government efforts to stabilize the property sector.
However, the Chinese government&#8217;s recent announcement of a 200 billion yuan ($28 billion) stimulus aimed at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41223117/alibaba-tencent-jd-com-and-baidu-slide-over-8-as-chinas-28b-stimulus-boost-misses-the-mark">local investment projects</a> fell short of market expectations, leading to a sharp sell-off in major tech stocks. Despite this, officials remain confident in achieving economic and social development goals, as stated by Zheng Shanjie, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41200026/chinese-hackers-breach-at-t-verizon-networks-in-major-wiretap-data-theft-putting-us-national-securit?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Hackers Breach AT&amp;T, Verizon Networks In Major Wiretap Data Theft Putting US National Security At Risk: Report</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo via Shutterstock.

Pre-Market Outlook

FLCH

Chinese ETFs Fizzle During Pre-Market Despite US Investors Pouring $5.2B Last Week: Here's What Happened

Chinese equities have staged a dramatic comeback in the past few weeks on the back of policy stimulus, with the MSCI China Index, tracked by the iShares MSCI China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NYSE">MCHI</a>), surging over 35% <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/china">between Sept. 24 and Oct. 7. </a>
This &#8220;fast and furious&#8221; rally, as described by Bank of America analysts Winnie Wu and Willie Chan, outpaced the performance of other major markets globally and more than doubled the year-to-date gains of the S&amp;P 500, as tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>).
The rally has been driven by a series of aggressive monetary easing policies unveiled by Chinese authorities, alongside renewed government commitments to stabilize the country&#8217;s troubled property sector.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Year-To-Date Performance: MSCI China Doubles S&amp;P 500</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="455" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/07123344/image-41-1024x455.png" alt="" class="wp-image-583894" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/07123344/image-41-1024x455.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/07123344/image-41-300x133.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/07123344/image-41-768x342.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/07123344/image-41-1536x683.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/07123344/image-41.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chart:<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent100724&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> Benzinga Pro</a></figcaption></figure>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">A $2 Trillion Market Surge</h1>
From Sept. 23 to 30, the MSCI China Index added nearly $2 trillion in market capitalization. Some of the largest beneficiaries were blue-chip companies like Kweichow Moutai, which jumped 39% (adding $88 billion in market cap), Tencent Holdings ADR (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCEHY#OTC">TCEHY</a>), which climbed 15% (adding $70 billion) and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. &#8211; ADR (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), which surged 27%, increasing its market value by $58 billion.
This rapid market appreciation reflects growing optimism among investors that China's policymakers are taking serious steps to address the country's economic challenges, including deflationary pressures, a property market downturn and mounting local government debt.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Key Stimulus Measures Fuel The Rally</h1>
The rally was sparked by a series of unexpected policy announcements starting on Sept. 23. That day, the People's Bank of China (PBoC) surprised markets by cutting its 14-day reverse repurchase rate by 10 basis points to 1.85%, injecting approximately $10.6 billion (74.5 billion yuan) into the banking system.
The following day, the PBoC Governor Pan Gongsheng announced a more substantial measure: the central bank would cut the reserve requirement ratio by 50 basis points, injecting about $142.5 billion (one trillion yuan) into the financial system. In addition, the seven-day repo rate was reduced by 20 basis points, and the central bank pledged to lower benchmark loan prime rates and existing mortgage rates by around 50 basis points, potentially reducing household interest payments by about $21 billion (150 billion yuan).
Further easing came on Sept. 25, when the PBoC lowered its one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) rate by 30 basis points, followed by fiscal pledges to inject capital into state-owned banks. 
Last but not least, the PBoC ordered commercial banks to reduce interest rates on existing mortgages, with rates no less than 30 basis points below the Loan Prime Rate before Oct. 31.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Chinese Equity ETFs Post Massive Gains</h1>
These moves have propelled Chinese equity ETFs to outperform the S&amp;P 500 and other global benchmarks by a significant margin. From Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, several China-focused ETFs posted eye-whopping gains:
<ul>
<li>Invesco China Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CQQQ#NYSE">CQQQ</a>): +52%</li>
<li>iShares MSCI China A ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNYA#NYSE">CNYA</a>): +48%</li>
<li>XTrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASHR#NYSE">ASHR</a>): +47%</li>
<li>WisdomTree China ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CXSE#NASDAQ">CXSE</a>): +43%</li>
<li>KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>): +40%</li>
<li>SPDR S&amp;P China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GXC#NYSE">GXC</a>): +38%</li>
<li>Invesco Golden Dragon China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PGJ#NASDAQ">PGJ</a>): +36%</li>
<li>iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXI#NYSE">FXI</a>): +32%</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Caution Ahead: Potential for Pullbacks</h1>
While the rally has been robust, analysts at Bank of America advise caution.
&#8220;More fiscal stimulus&nbsp;to stabilize the property market&nbsp;and&nbsp;restructure local government debts,&nbsp;and structural reforms&nbsp;to address&nbsp;the&nbsp;over-capacity/deflation&nbsp;issues&nbsp;are&nbsp;needed to turn&nbsp;around the economy,&#8221; they wrote.
In their report, analysts warn the current &#8220;buy everything&#8221; stage may soon end, particularly if no further positive catalysts materialize.
High-beta consumer, property and broker stocks, which have rallied sharply, could be the first to experience profit-taking. However, the analysts suggest long-term investors could view any potential pullbacks as buying opportunities, particularly in sectors like large-cap internet stocks and high-yield state-owned enterprises (SOEs), which they consider less volatile.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, Bank of America remains constructive on several sectors, including internet (media, online retail), insurance, and health care, particularly in life sciences and biotech, which delivered strong performance in the third quarter.
They are cautious about brokerage stocks after the strong rally and have downgraded utilities (gas, water) due to earnings downgrades and unattractive valuations. Additionally, they remain bearish on the property, auto, construction materials and chemicals sectors, as they believe a fundamental recovery in these areas will take more time.
Read Now:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41208397/this-alibaba-analyst-turns-bullish-here-are-top-5-upgrades-for-monday">This Alibaba Analyst Turns Bullish; Here Are Top 5 Upgrades For Monday</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

ASHR

CNYA

CQQQ

CXSE

PowerShares Golden Dragon Halter USX China Portfolio

'Fast And Furious Rally' Pushes Chinese Stocks To Double S&P 500 Performance Year To Date

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.
Stocks rocketed higher on Friday as fresh data revealed nonfarm payrolls surged by 254,000 in September. The unemployment rate slipped to 4.1%, defying projections that it would hold steady at 4.2%.
The S&amp;P 500 climbed 0.22% for the week, while the Dow eked out a 0.09% gain. The Nasdaq, despite entering Friday with losses exceeding 1%, managed a 0.1% weekly rise, marking a notable turnaround.
Crude oil prices jumped again on Friday, capping off a nearly 9% weekly gain. The surge came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following Iran's missile attack on Israel.
Chinese tech stocks, represented by the iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>), enjoyed another week of strong gains, driven by growing enthusiasm <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41192510/labor-market-surprises-with-strength-energy-stocks-rally-on-israel-iran-tensions-chinese-tech-giants">for domestic stimulus efforts.</a>
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41156900/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-says-demand-for-next-gen-blackwell-gpu-platform-insane-everyone-wants-to-hav">&#8220;Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says Demand For Next-Gen Blackwell GPU Platform Insane: &#8216;Everyone Wants To Have The Most, And Everyone Wants To Be First,'&#8221;</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola">Ananya Gairola</a>, reports that Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) CEO Jensen Huang highlighted the overwhelming demand for the new Blackwell GPU platform, confirming it is in full production and expected to drive significant revenue growth despite investor concerns over delays.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41136347/is-dogecoins-bullish-momentum-over-after-18-retreat-from-recent-highs-not-yet-say-a">&#8220;Is Dogecoin&#8217;s Bullish Momentum Over After 18% Retreat From Recent Highs? Not Yet, Say Analysts,&#8221;</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, highlights that despite Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) experiencing an 18% drop, analysts like Santiment and Ali Martinez believe its bullish potential remains strong, citing increased whale activity and technical signals of further upside.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/41100053/apples-iphone-16-pro-demand-correction-in-sight-analyst-highlights-delivery-trends-">&#8220;Apple&#8217;s iPhone 16 Pro Demand Correction In Sight: Analyst Highlights Delivery Trends Across Global Markets,&#8221;</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, reports that a JPMorgan analyst sees stabilizing delivery times for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) iPhone 16 Pro models, indicating a demand correction ahead, as lead times for base models moderate across key markets like the U.S., China, and Europe.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/10/41162458/amazon-ceo-andy-jassy-said-prime-video-will-have-meaningfully-fewer-ads-than-rivals-2-month">Amazon CEO Andy Jassy Said Prime Video Will Have &#8216;Meaningfully Fewer Ads&#8217; Than Rivals. 2 Months Later, Streaming Giant Is Reportedly Set To Get More Ads</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/24/09/41096549/cisco-set-for-technical-breakout-as-golden-cross-signals-strength-analyst-predicts-stock">Cisco Set For Technical Breakout As Golden Cross Signals Strength: Analyst Predicts Stock Will &#8216;Quietly&#8217; Climb Higher</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41135042/reliable-tesla-number-cruncher-forecasts-biggest-delivery-beat-in-3-years-fund-manager-says-this">Reliable Tesla Number Cruncher Forecasts Biggest Delivery Beat In 3 Years: Fund Manager Says This Could Change The Stock&#8217;s Narrative</a>
The Bears
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/10/41189534/spirit-airlines-bankruptcy-chatter-has-critics-blaming-biden-heres-what-history-shows-about-">&#8220;Spirit Airlines Bankruptcy Chatter Has Critics Blaming Biden: Here&#8217;s What History Shows About Carrier Mergers,&#8221;</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anthony-noto-0">Anthony Noto</a>, explores how Spirit Airlines, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAVE#NYSE">SAVE</a>) is in bankruptcy talks, with critics blaming the blocked JetBlue merger, while history shows that mergers in the airline industry often lead to job losses regardless of financial struggles.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41140319/humana-faces-sharp-decline-in-medicare-star-ratings-for-2025-braces-for-2026-revenue-hit">&#8220;Humana Faces Sharp Decline In Medicare Star Ratings For 2025, Braces For 2026 Revenue Hit,&#8221;</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/vandana-singh">Vandana Singh</a>, reports that Humana Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>) is anticipating a major drop in Medicare Advantage Star Ratings, with only 25% of members enrolled in plans rated four stars or above, which could lead to significant revenue losses in 2026.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/41086177/amazon-ceo-andy-jassy-faces-employee-revolt-over-full-time-return-to-office-mandate-73-consider-">&#8220;Amazon CEO Andy Jassy Faces Employee Revolt Over Full-Time Return To Office Mandate, 73% Consider Quitting: Survey,&#8221;</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/kaustubh-bagalkote">Kaustubh Bagalkot</a>, reports that Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) CEO Andy Jassy is facing internal backlash as 73% of surveyed employees consider leaving due to a new full-time return-to-office policy starting in 2025, sparking concerns over morale and retention.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41141152/cramer-says-hot-money-flowing-from-nvidia-apple-into-china-focus-on-alibaba-if-you-must">Cramer Says &#8216;Hot Money&#8217; Flowing From Nvidia, Apple Into China, Focus On Alibaba &#8216;If You Must&#8217;</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/41084907/japans-nikkei-plummets-over-2-000-points-amid-change-of-guard-while-chinese-market-extends-stimulus">Japan&#8217;s Nikkei Plummets Over 2,000 Points Amid Change Of Guard, While Chinese Market Extends Stimulus-Driven Run: What&#8217;s Driving Sentiment In Asia</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41114769/boeing-dips-in-pre-market-as-struggling-plane-maker-considers-raising-10b-through-stock-sale-amid-st">Boeing Dips In Pre-Market As Struggling Plane Maker Considers Raising $10B Through Stock Sale Amid Strike</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Cryptocurrency

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$BTC

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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, Spirit Airlines — And Dogecoin Drops But Whale Activity Remains High

It was a relatively flat week for major stock indices as traders opted for caution following the rallies of recent weeks and amid intensifying conflict <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/middle-east">in the Middle East.</a>
On Tuesday, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel, retaliating after Israeli forces announced the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/10/41126038/iran-attacks-israel-with-missiles-middle-east-tensions-escalates-s-p-500-stocks-bitcoin-fall-as-oil">during airstrikes in Beirut.</a>
Israel mulling a counterattack against Iran caused oil prices and energy stocks to surge, driven by concerns over supply disruptions in a critical oil-producing region. A basket of U.S. oil and gas stocks, the Energy&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>), recorded its strongest weekly performance in two years.
Major Chinese tech giants, as tracked by the iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>), saw another week of strong gains driven by heightened investor enthusiasm <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41182930/china-was-tipping-into-a-japan-style-lost-decade-of-deflation-and-stagnation-before-late-septemb">for domestic stimulus policies.</a>
The U.S. labor market continues to defy gravity. In September, 254,000 new non-farm payroll jobs were <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/10/41184080/us-economy-adds-254-000-new-jobs-in-september-smashes-expectations-unemployment-f">added, significantly beating forecasts.</a>
The unemployment rate dropped more than expected, and wages grew faster than anticipated. As a result, market participants and economists are rethinking the need for further aggressive interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/10/41187740/blowout-september-jobs-report-spurs-reactions-6-economists-say-aggressive-fed-rat">&#8216;Blowout&#8217; September Jobs Report Spurs Reactions: 6 Economists Say Aggressive Fed Rate Cuts May Face Obstacles</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">US-Israel Talks Propel Oil Prices</h3>
Oil prices rallied when President Joe Biden said the U.S. is in discussions with Israel about potential strikes on Iranian oil facilities. The geopolitical tensions and potential military action have raised concerns about the stability of energy markets, contributing to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41172781/oil-prices-rally-biden-confirms-us-discussions-with-israel-about-striking-iran-facilities">surge in oil prices.</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Zuckerberg&#8217;s AR Vision</h3>
Mark Zuckerberg suggests Meta Platforms Inc.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) upcoming AR device, Orion, could become the next major tech shift after smartphones. He sees augmented reality as a transformative force, with Orion possibly leading the charge in a new era of immersive, wearable technology, revolutionizing how people interact <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41084112/mark-zuckerberg-says-orion-is-probably-going-to-be-the-next-major-platform-after-phones-metas-new-ar">with the digital world.</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cramer&#8217;s China focus</h3>
Jim Cramer highlights that investor &#8220;hot money&#8221; is shifting from Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) toward Chinese stocks. He advises those interested in the Chinese market to focus on Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NASDAQ">BABA</a>), emphasizing it as a key player amid the growing investment interest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/10/41141152/cramer-says-hot-money-flowing-from-nvidia-apple-into-china-focus-on-alibaba-if-you-must">in China's tech sector.</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ford EV growth</h3>
Ford Motor Co.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) U.S. electric vehicle sales gained momentum in the third quarter despite a slowdown in its top-selling Mustang Mach-E SUV. The Michigan-based automaker experienced strong performance from its F-150 Lightning and E-Transit models, bolstering its efforts to expand its presence in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41179283/fords-us-ev-sales-gather-pace-in-q3-even-as-its-best-seller-mustang-mach-e-suv-slows-down">U.S. electric vehicle market.</a>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/10/41189534/spirit-airlines-bankruptcy-chatter-has-critics-blaming-biden-heres-what-history-shows-about-">Spirit Airlines Bankruptcy Chatter Has Critics Blaming Biden: Here&#8217;s What History Shows About Carrier Mergers</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Emerging Markets

Commodities

Labor Market Surprises With Strength, Energy Stocks Rally On Israel-Iran Tensions, Chinese Tech Giants Rebound: This Week In The Markets

China has made the bold move of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/opinion/24/09/41053956/a-win-either-way-trade-on-chinas-new-stimulus-package">copiously stimulating the economy </a>and two economists weighed in on the development in two separate opinion pieces contributed to Project Syndicate. 
The Largesse: The Chinese central bank announced a 50 basis-point cut to its mandatory reserve ratio and cut its benchmark policy rate by 0.2 percentage points. The People&#8217;s Bank of China also cut rates on existing mortgages by 0.5% points and reduced the minimum down payment on second homes from 25% to 15%. Governor Pan Gongsheng revealed plans to boost the stock market by providing institutional investors with liquidity support.
Delayed Response? Angela Zhang, a law professor at the University of Southern California and an expert in Chinese policies and regulations, <a href="https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-new-stimulus-is-not-enough-to-deliver-lasting-prosperity-by-angela-huyue-zhang-2024-10?utm_source=Project+Syndicate+Newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=0d95c91f39-ECON-NEWSLETTER_2024-09_05_COPY_02&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-e4393264df-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&amp;mc_cid=0d95c91f39&amp;mc_eid=5b39130e23">noted</a> that the latest stimulus announced in late September is a delayed response to the looming deflation threat, as warning signs have been evident for over a year.
The professor, however, gave the benefit of the doubt to China. The government was reluctant to go bold for a few legitimate reasons, the chief of which is its realization that the nation should shift away from real-estate and infrastructure investment-fueled growth to more sustainable sources of growth, like high-tech innovation.
The government was wary of the undesirable effects of the massive 2008 stimulus, which led to a debt pileup among local government and state-owned enterprises, Zhang said. It did not favor consumption-driven growth and instead wanted to transform itself as a &#8220;self-reliant industrial and technological powerhouse.&#8221; she added.
Authorities chose to go in with modest incremental rather than go full throttle but did not find success with this strategy, Zhang said. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-chinese-stocks">Best Chinese Stocks</a>
Economist Yu Yongding, who had previously served on the PBoC&#8217;s monetary policy committee, said in a separate op-ed that data out of China, including retail sales and fixed asset investment, were weaker in August. Net exports rose about 8% but its contribution was only 2.5% of the GDP.
Therefore, the typically strong fourth quarter of the year was going to be weak this time around, necessitating significant government intervention to hit the 5% 2024 GDP growth target, he said. The economist thinks China&#8217;s &#8220;economic miracle of 10%+ growth is over. That said, with &#8220;wise macroeconomic policy, market-oriented reforms, and a genuine commitment to opening up its economy,&#8221; the economy should be able to maintain a solid growth rate of 5-6% for the foreseeable future, he added.
Forced Action: Zhang said, &#8220;China is staring down the barrel of a Japan-style &#8216;lost decade&#8217; of deflation and stagnation. Although a reactionary move, China has fully mobilized its monetary and fiscal tools to rescue the faltering economy, she said, calling the latest actions the &#8220;right move.&#8221;
The professor noted that China&#8217;s stock market has responded with the biggest weekly rally since 2008. And investors expect more to follow.
Zhang, however, flagged a looming risk. &#8220;The fear now is that this sudden injection of capital into the economy could create stock-market bubbles, sowing the seeds of the next financial crisis,&#8221; she said. To avoid such a scenario, &#8220;China must take steps to minimize the unintended consequences of its policy interventions, such as creating mechanisms for obtaining real-time, accurate feedback that can guide mid-course corrections before bubbles form and crises erupt,&#8221; she said.
&#8220;More fundamentally, China must break its habit of hasty and dramatic policy shifts, based on top-down decrees, and return to the approach that served it so well in the past: gradual and incremental reforms, based on decentralized policy experimentation.&#8221;
Yu said PBoC&#8217;s actions alone might not suffice to revitalize the Chinese economy and the finance ministry now has to act. While stating that a hasty act could prove counterproductive and so to kickstart growth in the final three months of the year, the economist said &#8220;the government should announce a comprehensive large-scale stimulates package as soon as possible to use the "announcement effect" to boost morale and raise public confidence.
The iShares MSCI China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NYSE">MCHI</a>) is up an incremental 3.49%<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174"> in premarket trading </a>on Friday to $56.91, according to Benzinga Pro data. Since Sept. 20, the ETF is up about 29%.
The Chinese Shanghai Composite Index gained about 22% between Sept. 20 and Sept. 30 before it closed for a weeklong National Day holiday.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/41032804/chinas-stimulus-sparks-optimism-3-large-cap-stocks-with-analyst-buy-ratings">China&#8217;s Stimulus Sparks Optimism: 3 Large-Cap Stocks With Analyst Buy Ratings</a></li>
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Image via Shutterstock

China Was Tipping Into A Japan-Style 'Lost Decade' Of Deflation And Stagnation Before Late-September Stimulus Announcements, Says Legal Expert

China is on track to outpace the United States in advanced technology and military manufacturing by 2035, according to recent reports.
What Happened: China is projected to overtake the United States in advanced technology and military manufacturing within the next decade, according to a South China Morning Post<a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3280584/made-china-2035-will-it-topple-us-hi-tech-and-military-manufacturing-10-years?module=top_story&amp;pgtype=homepage"> report</a> on Wednesday. 
Recently, Lu Yongxiang, former vice-chairman of the National People's Congress, stated in the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering that the decline of US manufacturing is irreversible. Lu, who has played a significant role in shaping China&#8217;s long-term strategies, emphasized that the US&#8217;s competitive edge is rapidly diminishing.
Lu, who also served as the director of the expert advisory board for the "Made in China 2025" program, predicted that by 2035, China will lead globally in manufacturing and its economy will surpass that of the US. He noted that China has already achieved most of the goals set in the "Made in China 2025" plan, despite countermeasures from Washington.
China&#8217;s rapid progress in high-end industries, such as shipbuilding and renewable energy, has outpaced expectations. However, Lu acknowledged that China still lags behind the US in some advanced fields, particularly in advanced weapons production.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/41061660/ex-microsoft-ceo-and-billionaire-steve-ballmer-says-he-gets-most-important-stuff-from-elon-musks-x-i?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ex-Microsoft CEO And Billionaire Steve Ballmer Says He Gets &#8216;Most Important Stuff&#8217; From Elon Musk&#8217;s X: &#8216;I Wanna Know Straight From The Source&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: China&#8217;s advancements in technology and military manufacturing have significant implications for global geopolitics and economic balance. In August, it was reported that Nvidia Corp.&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40157250/nvidias-high-tech-ai-chips-reach-xi-jinpings-military-sidestepping-us-trade-restrictions-report">high-tech AI chip</a>s were reaching Xi Jinping&#8217;s military despite U.S. trade restrictions. This indicates that China is finding ways to circumvent U.S. blockades to advance its military technology.
Moreover, China has been heavily investing in semiconductor manufacturing. In the first half of 2024, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/40697855/chinas-chipmaking-investments-top-us-taiwan-south-korea-combined-what-it-means-for-nvidia-asml">China invested $25 billion</a> in chipmaking equipment, surpassing the combined spending of the U.S., Taiwan, and South Korea. This massive investment underscores China&#8217;s commitment to becoming a global leader in advanced technology and manufacturing.
Price Action: At the time of writing on Wednesday, KraneShares Trust KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) was up by 6.02%, iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) was up by 4.98%, &nbsp;iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXI#NYSE">FXI</a>) was trading 5.59% higher, while Franklin FTSE China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FLCH#NYSE">FLCH</a>) was up by 5.70%, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro.</a>
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Image via Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Pooja-Rajkumari" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pooja Rajkumari</a>

China Set To Surpass US In Advanced Military Manufacturing By 2035: Report

Jim Cramer is sounding the alarm, but not in the way you might expect. For those bullish on Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Cramer's latest take might be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/jim-cramer">hard to swallow</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hot Money Streaming Out Of Nvidia, Apple</h2>
In a tweet, Cramer said, &#8220;The hot money is streaming out of Nvidia and Apple and into China. Let it stream. Do not defend these now. Let this money leave. On China only BABA has actual fundamentals if you must&#8230; But let it rain here. Get all of these short Nvidia options and ETFs to play out.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The hot money is streaming out of Nvidia and Apple and into China. Let it stream. Do not defend these now. Let this money leave. On China only BABA has actual fundamentals if you must.. But let it rain here. Get all of these short Nvidia options and etfs to play out..
&mdash; Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcramer/status/1841411620481663388?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The reasoning? Cramer hints that Nvidia's sky-high valuations and Apple's post-iPhone slump might leave them vulnerable to short-term pain. If you&#8217;re holding Nvidia options or ETFs, Cramer believes you might want to ride the short wave. 
Cramer&#8217;s suggestion is a subtle signal that a pullback could be looming, especially as investor sentiment shifts and valuations begin to look more stretched than a Friday-night binge-watch.
The GraniteShares 2x Short NVDA Daily ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVD#NASDAQ">NVD</a>) and the Direxion Daily NVDA Bear 1X Shares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDD#NASDAQ">NVDD</a>) are inverse ETFs positioned to gain on Nvidia stock&#8217;s underperformance. Investors in the Direxion Daily AAPL Bear 1X Shares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPD#NASDAQ">AAPD</a>) gain when Apple shares underperform.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41127863/despite-nvidia-selloff-bidens-law-and-taiwan-semis-advantage-offer-growth-potential">Despite Nvidia Selloff, Biden&#8217;s Law and Taiwan Semi&#8217;s Advantage Offer Growth Potential</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Only Alibaba Has Actual Fundamentals, Says Jim Cramer</h2>
Meanwhile, where should the more adventurous traders look? According to Cramer, only one Chinese juggernaut is worth considering amid the capital outflows into China: Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABAF#NYSE">BABAF</a>). 
The e-commerce giant, despite facing regulatory hurdles, is backed by solid fundamentals. The GraniteShares 2x Long BABA Daily ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABX#NASDAQ">BABX</a>) provides leveraged exposure to Alibaba shares. Other ETFs with substantial allocation to Alibaba shares in their portfolio include the iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) (8.96% Alibaba stock), iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXI#NYSE">FXI</a>) (9.03% Alibaba stock) and the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) (11.05% allocation to Alibaba stock).
If you must dip into the Chinese markets, BABA might be your best bet—just don't expect smooth sailing.
Cramer's latest recommendation suggests patience with Nvidia and Apple, letting short sellers have their moment, and keeping a cautious but interested eye on Alibaba's potential for a rebound.
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Short Sellers

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BABX

NVDD

Cramer Says 'Hot Money' Flowing From Nvidia, Apple Into China, Focus On Alibaba 'If You Must'

China has gone all out to stimulate the domestic economy and a slew of measures the government and the central bank proposed has kickstarted a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/41084907/japans-nikkei-plummets-over-2-000-points-amid-change-of-guard-while-chinese-market-extends-stimulus"> strong rally in the domestic stock market.</a> CNBC Mad Money host Jim Cramer weighed in on the development and recommended a few stocks that could be potential beneficiaries.
What Happened: &#8220;The Chinese are, once again, stimulating and everyone&#8217;s back,&#8221; said Cramer in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He also recommended Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) and Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) for those looking for stimulus plays.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Back in action after some nice time off and i see that the Chinese are, once again, stimulating and everyone&#39;s back&#8230; Perfect&#8230;.Sorry to be so cynical. But if you want stimulus plays: BABA, AAPL and SBUX will do
&mdash; Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcramer/status/1840670203350270232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
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In a separate post, Cramer said he would love for China to set up a stock stabilization fund and use it to cushion any downside in stocks.
On Monday, the Chinese Shanghai Composite Index settled 8.06% higher 3,336.50 after Caixin manufacturing and services sector purchasing managers&#8217; indices disappointed to the downside. The index has gained nearly 22% since Sept. 20 and is up about a little over 12% for the year.
The People&#8217;s Bank of China announced last week it will in the near future cut the reserve requirement ratio, which is the amount of cash banks must hold as reserves, by 50 basis points freeing up about 1 trillion yuan ($142 billion) for new lending, Reuters reported.
The central bank hinted at the possibility of reducing it by an incremental 0.25-0.50% points. The PBoC also said it would lower the seven-day repo rate by 0.2 points, the interest rate on a medium-term lending facility by about 30 basis points and loan prime rates by 20-25 basis points.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-chinese-stocks">Best Chinese Stocks</a>
Why It&#8217;s Important: For Apple, China is a key market both from the perspective of supply and demand. Cupertino counts China as its major manufacturing base despite its efforts to diversify its production base. China is also a key market for the company&#8217;s consumer electronics products, specifically its iPhone, and its services business. Of late, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40823119/china-is-eating-apples-lunch-where-smartphone-maker-ranks-vs-asian-competitors">Apple has been stymied by domestic competition </a>that is flooding the market with cheaper smartphones. Huawei has re-emerged as a key rival for Apple in the Chinese smartphone market.
Coffee chain retailer Starbucks has a strong presence in China. The weakening of economic fundamentals in China has impacted the company&#8217;s sales in recent quarters. In the June quarter, Starbucks&#8217; same-store sales in China fell 14% compared to a more modest 2% drop in the U.S.
Alibaba&#8217;s fortunes are closely tied to the Chinese economy as it generates the bulk of its e-commerce sales from China.
Apart from Cramer&#8217;s recommendation, a Chinese economic revival may also bode well for commodity and energy stocks and those multinational corporations have a big presence in the country such as Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>).
The iShares MSCI China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NYSE">MCHI</a>) rallied 3.35% to $52.70 in premarket trading on Monday, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro data.</a>
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Photo by s_bukley on Shutterstock

SBUX

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Jim Cramer Hand Picks These 3 Stocks To Ride The Crest Of The Chinese Stimulus Frenzy

The major Asian markets diverged on Monday as country-specific catalysts drove the averages to either side of the unchanged line. Amid the development, the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/futures"> U.S. index futures remained unchanged,</a> with a slight positive bias.
Geopolitics Weighs On Japan: Japan&#8217;s key stock market gauge, the Nikkei 225 average, gap-opened lower and fell sharply in early trading. Since then it has been moving roughly sideways around depressed levels. At last check, the export-heavy index was down about 2,000 points or 5.02% at 37,836.70.
The negative reaction comes as 67-year-old Shigeru Ishiba assumes the reins as the country&#8217;s prime minister after he was elected to lead the Liberal Democratic Party. He is widely expected to be sworn in as the prime minister on Tuesday, given the LDF is the majority party in the Japanese parliament Diet.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK said traders could be unwinding positions as they step to the sidelines to see off the policy announcements by Ishiba.
The yen has been modestly stronger against most major currencies early Monday in Asian hours.
Ishiba is a proponent of normalizing monetary policy, which would mean more rate hikes, and favors a more restrictive fiscal policy, including increasing taxes on corporations and financial income, Nikkei <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Equities/Japan-stock-futures-fall-5-as-Ishiba-to-succeed-PM-Kishida">reported. </a>He also supports raising minimum wages in a bid to boost consumer sentiment and end deflation, the report said.
&#8220;Market caution seems to have spread for such issues, as Mr. Ishiba&#8217;s indicated [his] intention to tax financial income and [create] leeway for raising corporate tax,&#8221; said Nozomi Moriya, Japan equity strategist at UBS Securities, according to the report.
A separate Nikkei report, citing senior party officials that Ishiba plans to call for snap polls on Oct. 27. The former defense minister reportedly plans to dissolve the House of Representatives in October to seek a public mandate even as he has been actively selecting new executives of the ruling party and members of his prospective government.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-buy-japanese-stock">How To Buy Japanese Stocks</a>
China Rides High On Stimulus Largesse: China as well as Hong Kong continued to rally hard on Monday. At last check, the Shanghai Composite Index soared 7.49% to 3,318.64 and the Hang Seng Index climbed 3.87% to 21,431.14. 
The buoyancy is seen as a result of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/opinion/24/09/41053956/a-win-either-way-trade-on-chinas-new-stimulus-package">China&#8217;s intent to reinvigorate economic growth through stimulus measures. </a>The People's Bank of China announced last week it will in the near future cut the reserve requirement ratio, which is the amount of cash banks must hold as reserves, by 50 basis points freeing up about 1 trillion yuan ($142 billion) for new lending, Reuters reported. 
The central bank hinted at the possibility of reducing it by an incremental 0.25-0.50% points. The PBoC also said it would lower the seven-day repo rate by 0.2 points, the interest rate on a medium-term lending facility by about 30 basis points and loan prime rates by 20-25 basis points.
Since Sept. 23, the Shanghai Composite Index has soared over 20%. 
Monday&#8217;s rally in Chinese stocks was facilitated by strengthening evidence of economic weakness. The Caixin China manufacturing purchasing managers&#8217; index fell from 50.4 in August to 49.3 in September, according to a report released by S&amp;P Global. A reading below 50 suggests contraction. The service sector PMI also dipped from 51.6 to 50.3, showing a slowdown in the pace of service sector expansion.
Weak data would allow leeway for authorities to lavish more stimuli into the economy.
The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWJ#NYSE">EWJ</a>) ended Friday&#8217;s session down 2.62% at $71.08, according to<a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174"> Benzinga Pro data, </a>while the iShares MSCI China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NYSE">MCHI</a>) gained 1.78% before closing at $50.99. For the year, these ETFs are up 11.64% and 1.48%, respectively.
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Image via Unsplash

Politics

Japan's Nikkei Plummets Over 2,000 Points Amid Change Of Guard, While Chinese Market Extends Stimulus-Driven Run: What's Driving Sentiment In Asia

Even though the Chinese stock market has been scrutinized extensively in the past couple of years, some investors have begun to realize that there is much more upside than apparent risk for Asia&#39;s powerhouse. China&#39;s technology sector has the lowest valuation in history compared to its American counterpart.
Measured through the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kweb#NYSE">KWEB</a>), names in this space now trade at steep discounts against peers like Alphabet Inc. and even Amazon.com Inc.. While discounted stocks might not look attractive to some investors based on their price action, others recognize the value to be had in them.
This is why stocks like Alibaba Group (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/baba#NYSE">BABA</a>), Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bidu#NASDAQ">BIDU</a>), and the overall iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mchi#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) have delivered shareholders a significant rally this week, one of the best performances since the few months after the COVID-19 pandemic. Retail investors can also feel a bit safer because some of Wall Street&#39;s favorite investors have also given these companies a chance to make billions.
<h2>Chinese Government Interventions Improve the Risk-Reward Balance for Investors</h2>
Recently, the Federal Reserve (the Fed) in the United States decided to lower interest rates by half a percent, or 50 basis points. The Chinese economy has been criticized long enough for its slowdown and contractions, so the government has also decided to cut rates by the same amount.
The difference is that the Chinese ETF trades at only 47% of the high prices it made in early 2021, while the technology-focused NASDAQ 100 index trades at 96% of its 52-week high now. This means that the potential reward is much bigger in China than the pullback the U.S. technology space could make after these runs.
Stanley Druckenmiller decided to sell out of NVIDIA Co. after realizing the potential upside was no longer that attractive; it is no surprise to see his former mentor and boss George Soros initiate a&nbsp;$73.4 million position in Alibaba.
As lower rates start to spread through the Chinese economy, the consumer discretionary sector and rate-dependent technology companies will probably see the benefits first, so they have become the top choice for other mega investors as well.
<h2>Who&#39;s Buying Chinese Stocks Now and What They&#39;re Adding to Their Portfolios</h2>
Some investors would recognize him for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, but Michael Burry has now made Alibaba his top holding. After buying it for the better part of 2024, Burry&#39;s portfolio is now reported to hold up to 155,000 shares valued at roughly $14.8 million today.
The trend doesn&#39;t end there for Burry, as he also chose Baidu as his fourth-largest position, with 75,000 shares valued at approximately $9 million. Coming right after Baidu, Burry chose JD.com Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jd#NASDAQ">JD</a>) to be his fifth-largest position, with 250,000 shares carrying a value of $8.3 million today.
Those names are the common choice among investors today. David Tepper has recently deviated from his typical picks in the financial and technology sector to pick on Chinese stocks. For Tepper, his fund bought up to 10,500,000 shares for an approximate value of just over $1 billion in the portfolio.
Considering that Alibaba trades at less than a third of the $316 a share high it made after COVID-19, it makes sense for these investors to look at the potential risk-to-reward ratios and decide if it is worth taking a risk on Chinese stocks.
<h2>Wall Street&#39;s Latest Take on Alibaba and Baidu: Key Insights for Investors</h2>
Starting with Alibaba, analysts now justify a consensus price target of $107.6 a share on the stock, calling for 12.7% upside from where it trades today. However, those at Susquehanna decided to go above and beyond the consensus and place a $130 valuation on Alibaba, implying it could run by a much bigger 35.4% from today&#39;s price.
When it comes to Baidu, the stock trades at only 68% of its 52-week high to offer enough potential upside to consider it. This is why analysts at Citigroup see a potential case for the stock to trade as high as $155 a share, daring the stock to stage a massive 64.8% rally from where it has traded down to today.
Here are other insights for investors to consider: Alibaba&#39;s main competitor could be assumed to be Amazon, which is why the Chinese giant&#39;s 25.1x P/E ratio means a significant discount to Amazon&#39;s 46.0x valuation today. For Baidu, competition can only arguably be found in shares of Google.
Baidu&#39;s 12.4x P/E valuation would also offer investors a steep discount compared to Google&#39;s valuation of 23.3x P/E today, despite a recent selloff in that stock. When it comes to upside and diminished risk, investors all over are finding Chinese stocks to be the winners; maybe retail investors should, too.
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/stock-ideas/chinese-tech-stocks-rally-whats-behind-it-and-next-steps/">China&#39;s Tech Stocks Surge: What Top Investors Know That You Don&#39;t</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

China's Tech Stocks Surge: What Top Investors Know That You Don't

Chinese stocks soared on Tuesday following an unexpected and substantial monetary stimulus from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/china">People&#8217;s Bank of China (PBoC). </a>
The central bank announced cuts to the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for banks and the seven-day repo rate, just a day after lowering the 14-day reverse repo rate.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">People&#8217;s Bank of China Implements Aggressive Monetary Easing</h3>
The PBoC Governor, Pan Gongsheng, revealed a 50-basis-point cut to the bank&#8217;s reserve requirement ratio, reducing it from 10.0% to 9.5% for commercial banks. 
This cut is set to inject approximately 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) of liquidity into the banking system, allowing banks more capital to lend.
In addition to the RRR cut, Pan also announced a 0.5 percentage point reduction in existing mortgage rates, offering relief to the struggling property market.
The seven-day repo rate was slashed by 20 basis points to 1.5%, while the 14-day reverse repo rate, already lowered on Monday, saw a 10-basis-point reduction to 1.85%. These moves are seen as a clear signal that Chinese policymakers are increasingly focused on addressing the economic slowdown.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Analysts Praise PBoC&#8217;s Moves</h3>
&#8220;The rare simultaneous cut of policy rates and the RRR, the relatively large magnitude of cuts, and unusual guidance on another 25-50 basis point RRR cut by the end of this year, indicated policymakers&#8217; growing concerns over downside risks to domestic economic activity,&#8221; wrote Xinquan Chen, an economist at Goldman Sachs, in a note.
While these monetary measures point to a more proactive stance from the Chinese government, Chen warned that more fiscal stimulus will be required to bolster domestic demand. 
Goldman Sachs expects another 25-basis-point RRR cut in the fourth quarter of 2024, along with further reductions in 2025. The bank forecasts two additional 25-basis-point RRR cuts in the first and third quarters of 2025, as well as two 10-basis-point policy rate cuts in the second and fourth quarters.
ING Group commented that markets had initially anticipated smaller 10-basis-point cuts, making the 20-basis-point reduction more aggressive than expected. However, they cautioned that the long-term impact would depend on whether the PBoC continues with more cuts or adopts a &#8220;wait-and-see&#8221; approach following the current measures.
&#8220;We feel today&#8217;s measures are a step in the right direction, especially as multiple policies were announced together rather than spaced out piecemeal. We continue to believe that there is room for further easing in the months ahead, as most global central banks are now on a rate-cut trajectory,&#8221; ING&#8217;s China chief economist Lynn Song said.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions: Chinese Stocks, ETFs Rally</h3>
The Hang Seng Index jumped 4.13% on Tuesday, closing at 19,000.56 — the highest level since May. 
U.S.-listed ETFs investing in Chinese equities also rallied strongly in premarket trading. The iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWH#NYSE">EWH</a>) was up 2%.
The Chinese yuan appreciated 0.3%, reaching its strongest levels since May. 
Major U.S.-listed ETFs focused on China also surged ahead of the market open. The KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) jumped 5.6%, the iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXI#NYSE">FXI</a>) climbed 5.4%, and the iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) rose 5.3%.
Chinese companies listed on U.S. exchanges also saw significant premarket gains. 
Chinese EV-maker Li Auto Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>) surged 8%, while NIO Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) gained 7%. JD.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>) rose 7.1%, and Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), China's largest publicly traded company with a market capitalization of $209 billion, climbed 5.4%.
Read now: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/09/40998340/nasdaq-s-p-500-futures-firm-chinas-economic-stimulus-fuels-commodities-bitcoin-steady-heres-what-tr">Nasdaq, S&amp;P 500 Futures Firm, China&#8217;s Economic Stimulus Fuels Commodities, Bitcoin Steady: Here&#8217;s What Traders Should Be Watching Tuesday</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shan_shan/Shutterstock.com

Chinese Stocks Jump As Central Bank Unveils Major Stimulus To Spur Economy: 'A Step In The Right Direction'

The Federal Reserve&#8217;s recent 50 basis point rate cut marks a notable shift in monetary policy, with significant implications for both the U.S. economy <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/emerging-markets">and global markets</a>. 
Fund managers and strategists are weighing in on what this means for investors and what to expect next.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KraneShares: Fed's Rate Cut Signals A Cycle</h2>
Brendan Ahern, CIO of KraneShares, believes the Fed's 50 bps rate cut is the beginning of a larger easing cycle.
According to Ahern, &#8220;Another 50 basis point reduction is expected later this year, with an additional 100 basis points projected for 2025.&#8221; 
While some fear the possibility of a mild recession, Ahern points out that the U.S. economy is still displaying resilience. "Unemployment remains low, inflation is easing, consumer spending is holding strong, and corporate profits are generally stable," he notes, suggesting the potential for a "soft landing" instead of a hard downturn.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Russell Investments: Softer Stance Could Boost Markets</h2>
Paul Eitelman, chief investment strategist at Russell Investments, shares a more tempered yet optimistic view, noting that the Fed&#8217;s focus is shifting from aggressive inflation control to stabilizing economic growth.
&#8220;This marked the start of a long-awaited easing cycle,&#8221; he said, adding that the Fed is aiming to prevent major damage to the labor market.
Eitelman expects the Fed to maintain a steady pace of cuts—25 bps at each meeting through 2025—to balance risks. Should this strategy succeed, sectors like real estate and small caps could benefit from lower rates and a stabilizing economy.
The Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VNQ#NYSE">VNQ</a>) and the SPDR Real Estate Select Sector ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>) are two of the most popular real estate equity tracking ETFs in the U.S. 
On the small-cap front, the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) and the iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWO#NYSE">IWO</a>) are two popular ETFs tracking the Russell 2000 Index &#8211; a popular benchmark for small-cap equity in the U.S. The iShares Core S&amp;P Small-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IJR#NYSE">IJR</a>) and the Vanguard Small Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VB#NYSE">VB</a>) are two other popular small-cap equity-tracking ETFs.
Don't miss out on this unparalleled opportunity:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/small-cap/global-small-cap-conference-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Register now to secure your spot at Benzinga's Largest SmallCap Conference ever in Chicago!</a></li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WisdomTree&#8217;s Senior Economist: &#8220;I Am Surprised"</h2>
WisdomTree senior economist Professor Jeremy Siegel offered a candid take, expressing surprise at the Fed's bold move. &#8220;I&#8217;ll have to say, I am surprised. I was saying of course I wanted 50, you know I even wanted more, but I didn&#8217;t think he was going to do it.&#8221;
Siegel&#8217;s analysis also highlights the Fed's response to catching up with inflation control. "They realize that they were a bit behind the curve and now they are catching up," he said.
Siegel believes the rate cuts lower the probability of a recession, helping sustain economic strength.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40995794/key-stock-market-dates-predicting-major-swings-revealed-ahead-of-2024-election-according-to-bank">Key Stock Market Dates Predicting Major Swings Revealed Ahead Of 2024 Election, According To Bank Of America</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Emerging Markets: A Beneficiary Of Lower Rates?</h2>
KraneShares' Ahern also highlights the potential boost for emerging markets. A weaker U.S. dollar resulting from lower rates could &#8220;strengthen emerging market currencies,&#8221; and increased capital inflows may follow. Investors in the iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEMG#NYSE">IEMG</a>) and the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VWO#NYSE">VWO</a>) are well-positioned to benefit from the strengthening of emerging market equities.
Chinese assets, in particular, are attracting global investors as they trade at low valuations. Investors in the iShares MSCI China ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NYSE">MCHI</a>) and the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) are positioned to benefit from any increase in fund flows towards Chinese equities.
Ahern advises closely watching both U.S. policy shifts and China's economic recovery for potential opportunities in this space.
While the Fed's aggressive 50 bps cut has caught many by surprise, fund managers and strategists agree it may provide much-needed relief to financial markets, with growth sectors and emerging markets standing to benefit from the shift.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/24/09/40993114/companies-run-to-bond-markets-after-last-weeks-fed-rate-cut">Companies Run To Bond Markets After Last Week&#8217;s Fed Rate Cut</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Small Cap Analysis

IEMG

XLRE

Fed 'Catching Up' With 50-Point Rate Cut: Fund Managers Expect Gains In Emerging Markets, Small Caps

Chinese stocks surged to their highest levels in four months on Monday, following the People&#8217;s Bank of China&#8217;s (PBoC) slashing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/interest-rates">a key interest rate</a>.
The surprise move reignites hopes for additional stimulus in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/china">world&#8217;s second-largest economy.</a> 
The iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXI#NYSE">FXI</a>) — which tracks major Chinese firms like Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>), Tencent Holding Ltd. (OTCPK: TCEHY), JD.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>), and Baidu Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BIDU#NYSE">BIDU</a>) — is up more than 2% as of 11:20 a.m. ET in New York. It&#8217;s a level not seen since late May.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">PBoC Cuts Rates, Inject Liquidity</h3>
On Sept. 23, the People&#8217;s Bank of China unexpectedly reduced the 14-day reverse repurchase rate by 10 basis points to 1.85%, down from 1.95%.
Additionally, the central bank injected CNY 74.5 billion ($10.2 billion) of liquidity into the banking system through this operation, according to an official statement. The PBoC also pumped CNY 160.1 billion via seven-day reverse repos, maintaining the rate at 1.7%.
These measures come on the heels of the central bank's decision last week to keep key lending rates at record lows, following surprise cuts in July. 
Monday&#8217;s policy moves in China are likely seen as part of broader efforts to stimulate consumption ahead of the National Day Holiday, a week-long break that starts on Oct. 1. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h3>
Chinese ADRs (American Depository Receipts) rallied sharply in response, outpacing broader market gains. 
Other Chinese-linked ETFs made moves Monday:
<ul>
<li>Kraneshares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) was up 2%</li>
<li>iShares MSCI China (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>), up 1.7%</li>
<li>Invesco China Technology ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CQQQ#NYSE">CQQQ</a>) up1.6%.</li>
</ul>
On the same day, the U.S. Commerce Department proposed a ban on the import and sale of Chinese-made vehicles equipped with automated driving systems and critical communications software and hardware due <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/40981254/chinese-vehicle-tech-faces-biden-administration-ban-over-national-security-concerns-china-ev-stocks">to national security concerns</a>.
This ban is scheduled to take effect in 2027. 
Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers like Shanghai-based NIO Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) and Guangzhou, China-based Xpeng Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NASDAQ">XPEV</a>) also joined the broader country stock rally despite the potential negative challenges from the new regulation.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Movers Among Largest Chinese Stocks</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Market Cap</td>
<td>1-Day %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alibaba Group Holding Limited</td>
<td>$210.26B</td>
<td>2.44%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTES#NASDAQ">NTES</a>)</td>
<td>$ 52.23B</td>
<td>2.59%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JD.com, Inc.</td>
<td>$ 43.60B</td>
<td>4.19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Baidu, Inc.</td>
<td>$ 31.10B</td>
<td>3.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Li Auto Inc.</td>
<td>$ 22.26B</td>
<td>3.55%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DiDi Global Inc.</td>
<td>$ 19.42B</td>
<td>0.75%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KE Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BEKE#NYSE">BEKE</a>)</td>
<td>$ 18.20B</td>
<td>5.60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.</td>
<td>$ 17.43B</td>
<td>-0.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TME#NASDAQ">TME</a>)</td>
<td>$ 16.34B</td>
<td>4.44%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YUMC#NYSE">YUMC</a>) </td>
<td>$ 13.85B</td>
<td>2.38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NIO Inc.</td>
<td>$ 11.53B</td>
<td>3.13%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Read Now:
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Regulations

BEKE

YUMC

Chinese Stocks Defy Biden's Auto Import Ban Concerns, Rally To 4-Month Highs As Central Bank Unexpectedly Slashes Interest Rates

The Biden administration announced Friday that it has finalized and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40643613/jd-vance-slammed-by-ex-obama-advisor-for-spewing-frustrating-lies-on-tariffs-stresses-need-for-fact">implemented significant tariff hikes</a> on Chinese imports, first introduced in May, to better safeguard strategic domestic industries from China&#8217;s excess manufacturing volume.
Many tariffs, including a 100% duty on Chinese electric vehicles, 50% on solar cells, and 25% on steel, aluminum, EV batteries, and key minerals, are set to take effect on Sept. 27, according to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
The USTR determination included a 50% duty on Chinese semiconductors &#8212; polysilicon used in solar panels and silicon wafers &#8212; are set to begin next year, Reuters reported.
The USTR kept the 25% tariff on lithium-ion batteries, minerals and components. Tariffs for all other devices, such as laptops and cell phones, will take effect at the start of 2026.
China has promised to retaliate against the &#8220;bullying&#8221; tariff hikes and argued that its EV industry&#8217;s success is due to innovation, not support from its government. 
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40597203/xi-jinpings-mouthpiece-slams-canada-says-ottawa-is-shooting-itself-in-the-foot-with-100-tariffs-on-e">Xi Jinping&#8217;s Mouthpiece Slams Canada, Says Ottawa Is &#8216;Shooting Itself In The Foot&#8217; With 100% Tariffs On EV</a>
The higher U.S. tariffs are being imposed as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump campaign in auto and steel-producing states, both aiming to demonstrate a tough stance on China with the November presidential election approaching.
The USTR hiked tariffs to 50% on medical face masks and surgical gloves, up from a proposed 25%, but pushed back their start to give buyers a chance to switch to non-Chinese suppliers. 
The tariff on Chinese syringes will double to 100%, but USTR will allow a temporary exclusion for enteral syringes, used to feed infants, for a year.
The USTR also said it will consider requests to exclude tariffs on five Chinese industrial machinery categories, including those for machinery for purifying or filtering liquids, industrial robots and printing machinery.
It will also exclude tariffs for Chinese solar wafer and cell manufacturing equipment, but not for equipment used to make full solar modules.
Price Action: Several Chinese companies that trade in the U.S. declined in Friday&#8217;s early-morning trading.
<ul>
<li>Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) fell 1.12% to $84.53.</li>
<li>PDD Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PDD#NASDAQ">PDD</a>) dropped 2.6% to $94.71.</li>
<li>JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JD#NASDAQ">JD</a>) slipped 1.14% to $26.36.</li>
</ul>
Meanwhile, Chinese exchange-traded funds gained on Friday morning.
<ul>
<li>IShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHI#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) rose 0.27%.</li>
<li>KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>) slipped 0.72%.</li>
<li>IShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXI#NYSE">FXI</a>) ticked up 0.49%.</li>
</ul>
Read Now:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38758049/biden-plans-new-tariffs-on-china-targets-electric-vehicles-and-other-strategic-sectors-report">Biden Plans New Tariffs On China, Targets Electric Vehicles And Other Strategic Sectors: Report</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Biden Hikes Tariffs On Chinese Goods, Alibaba, JD.com Stocks Drop

Whether it&rsquo;s Kamala Harris or Donald Trump at the helm of U.S. foreign policy in January 2025, one thing is likely: the continuation of a strategic decoupling from mainland China. That means Chinese companies outsourcing to or investing in factories in Southeast Asia and maybe even Mexico to keep their market share in the U.S. &nbsp;It could come at a loss to the Chinese labor force, setting the table for all sorts of potential problems as China and the U.S. go through a nasty divorce.
&quot;The presidential election is viewed as pivotal for China investors,&quot; said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shainvernier">Shain Vernier</a>, Financial Analyst of HowToTrade.com. &quot;Many are concerned about the prospects of extensive tariffs from another Trump. But think a Harris administration will be more passive regarding trade wars and related policies,&quot; he said.
The No. 2 economy is holding out, but slowing down. The real estate sector, a driver for domestic consumption and employment, is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/07/39961679/has-chinas-real-estate-market-turned-a-corner">in trouble again.</a>
Shenzhen Anju group, a Shenzhen-based state-owned-enterprise, said it will begin buying apartment buildings and convert them into affordable housing. This could help alleviate the supply of 48,974 apartments for sale, totaling 5.16 million square meters, which is equivalent to two years of inventory, according to a <a href="https://chinalastnight.com/2024/08/08/shenzhens-real-estate-policy-ignites-rally/">KraneShares&#39; daily post</a> on China on Thursday, called China Last Night. Guangzhou said on May 30 that the city was adopting a &ldquo;purchase instead of construction model&rdquo; -- so Shenzhen is following in that city&#39;s footsteps. The idea is to soak up inventory, stabilize housing prices, and restore consumer confidence. Real estate stocks rose just over 1% on Thursday morning, though it does not appear Chinese developer credit default swaps tightened on the news. The market still does not like their debt.
June PMI data from China shows that employment indices are all in decline for the fifth straight month. A housing slump has construction jobs falling the lowest level since the start of the pandemic in February 2020. Services are also weak, with the services PMI sub-index hitting 46.3, the lowest level of 2024. Anything under 50 signifies a contraction.
Manufacturing employment has been falling for 16 months despite China exporting whatever it can make to wherever in the world will buy it.
China investors are not being rewarded for buying the dips.
The iShares MSCI China (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mchi#NASDAQ">MCHI</a>) ETF is down 27% over the last five years. XTrackers China CSI-300, best known as the China A-Shares ETF (ARCA: ASHR) is down around 11%.
Not that the overall emerging markets indexes were making you rich, but the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (ARCA: EEM) is up over 3.5% in five years, and the reason it is that low is because of China dragging it down.
Even China tech has underperformed.
The KraneShares China Internet (ARCA: KWEB) ETF is down 4.3% year-to-date, down 15.5% over the last 12 months and down 33% over the last five years.&nbsp;
China EV manufacturer Nio (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nio#NYSE">NIO</a>) is down over 75% in the last 12 months, and also down year-to-date. (It&rsquo;s up 19% over five years, though.)
The China automotive sector is being hammered by the White House, with the Biden administration slapping high tariffs on Chinese EVs in <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/14/fact-sheet-president-biden-takes-action-to-protect-american-workers-and-businesses-from-chinas-unfair-trade-practices/">May</a> and <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/teslas-mexico-factory-on-hold-over-trump-tariff-fears/ar-BB1qD69P">Trump hinting</a> he would tariff Chinese EVs made in Mexico coming into the U.S. duty-free thanks to the USMCA trade agreement.
<h3>China Risks &ldquo;Skewed Towards Further Escalation&rdquo;</h3>
Figure the geopolitical headwinds for China will not improve under Harris or Trump. At best, investors and businesses will have to cope with the status quo.
Trump and his team, centered on USTR Robert Lighthizer, have focused on China &ldquo;decoupling&rdquo; - reducing the absolute level of trade deficits by using tariffs. Biden and his team &ndash; many of whom will share similar thinking of Harris&#39;s advisors &ndash; are focusing tariffs on so-called climate change policy goods like EV-related goods and solar, two sectors China dominates.
Since the Trump-era tariffs began in 2018, China&#39;s exports to the U.S. have declined but have gone up in Vietnam, Mexico, and other Asian markets to compensate.
Exports remain the bright spot for China&rsquo;s economy, though this has not translated into stock market gains.
In an Aug. 2 report by Barclays Capital, economist Jian Chang said that China&rsquo;s rising exports to the rest of the world minus the U.S. were signs of resilience against the West&rsquo;s &ldquo;trade war&rdquo;. However, Chang skews the risk meter in favor of&nbsp; &quot;further escalation.&quot;
She managed to find some positives there.
From Barclays&rsquo; report:
<ul>
<li>China semiconductor exports are rising, surpassing Taiwan, tied with India and approaching the leader &ndash; Korea</li>
<li>Chinese companies are expanding and investing in overseas markets to gain global market share amid geopolitical tensions and slowing domestic growth</li>
<li>Chinese manufacturers have enhanced their export competitiveness of high-tech products, supported by a decade of industrial upgrading, technological innovation, and customer-centric approaches, as seen from their shipping more high-end/high-tech products.</li>
</ul>
China&rsquo;s closely watched Politburo meeting of the CCP&#39;s A-list ended on July 30 with leadership acknowledging the difficulties and challenges facing the economy, including geopolitical risks, insufficient domestic demand, and the difficulties in going from old growth drivers like real estate to new growth drivers. They called for &ldquo;maintaining strategic determination,&rdquo; Chang wrote from her offices in Hong Kong.
&ldquo;That implies that the authorities will refrain from actions that might rekindle the old growth model fueled by rapid credit growth,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;The July meeting fell short of offering big stimulus.&rdquo;
At this point, investors are in China because it&rsquo;s the second-largest economy in the world. Sectors from tech to healthcare and consumer have not impressed.
However, U.S. foreign direct investment into Chinese manufacturing broke a record in 2023, hitting a total $59.31 billion, up from the 2022 record of $56.56 billion, <a href="https://apps.bea.gov/international/factsheet/factsheet.html#650" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.</a>
Based on these numbers alone, it does not look like any real decoupling or derisking is going on at all.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&quot;Despite tensions, traders and investors are still very optimistic about China because they have confidence in China&rsquo;s central bank&#39;s commitment to economic growth,&quot; said Vernier. &quot;Traders have to recognize that China is not a small economy solely reliant on exports. In terms of investment themes, traders particularly value China&#39;s capacity to operate at scale and at a lower cost. It may be beneficial to continue focusing on Chinese manufacturers of EVs and solar, two sectors China currently dominates,&quot; Vernie said.
Geopolitical tensions have not been kind to China solar.
Jinko Solar (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jks#NYSE">JKS</a>), which also manufactures solar panels in Florida, is down over 45% both year-to-date and over 12 months. It&#39;s down just over 3% in five years.
By comparison, American solar giant First Solar (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/fsrl#OTC">FSRL</a>) is up 20% YTD, 5.8% in 12 months, and looks like cryptocurrency over five years, rising 224%.
Worth noting: publicly traded Chinese solar companies <a href="https://www.rubio.senate.gov/rubio-introduces-bill-to-block-subsidies-to-chinese-battery-companies/">run the risk</a> of being banned from receiving tax credits under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
So China has problems &ndash; yet despite restrictions on capital into certain types of investments (like defense company stocks, or certain tech products being restricted for sale by U.S. companies to Chinese companies), FDI is flowing. China investors are rummaging through what looks like the political rubble. Some are finding that the decoupling and derisking narrative has not been so bad for China. These are the sectors to look into.
China&rsquo;s third quarter started weaker following lackluster second-quarter growth. Barclays is keeping with its 4.8% GDP forecast for 2024, which is just under Beijing&rsquo;s 5% target line.
*The writer is an investor in the KraneShares China Healthcare (KURE) ETF.
This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga's reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

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