China state firms pledge to boost share purchases to calm markets
Investment by Huijin and other state investors ‘will not only provide direct liquidity support and break the vicious cycle, but also send a signal to calm market nerves’
[BEIJING] Chinese state holding companies vowed on Tuesday (Apr 8) to increase share investment while a slew of listed firms announced share buybacks as Beijing stepped up efforts to stabilise a stock market rocked by US tariff woes.
The announcements by companies including China Chengtong Holdings Group and China Reform Holdings Corp come a day after state fund Central Huijin said that it would increase share holdings to steady markets.
China’s stock market rebounded on Tuesday, clawing back some of Monday’s 7 per cent slump, which was fuelled by trade war and global recession fears.
Washington last week imposed extra tariffs of 34 per cent on China, which then fired back with its own 34 per cent levies on US imports.
China’s retail dominated stock market “is vulnerable to irrational pull-backs when hit by unexpected, negative news”, China International Capital Corp (CICC) said.
Investment by Huijin and other state investors “will not only provide direct liquidity support and break the vicious cycle, but also send a signal to calm market nerves”.
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Chengtong said that its investment units would increase holdings in stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to safeguard market stability. “We are firmly optimistic towards the growth prospects of China’s capital markets,” the state investment firm said in a statement, vowing to support high-quality growth of Chinese listed companies.
China Reform Holdings Corp, also known as Guoxin, said in a separate statement that an investment unit will increase holdings in tech companies, state firms and ETFs, tapping a relending scheme for share buybacks. Initial investment will be 80 billion yuan (S$14.7 billion).
Another state holding company, China Electronics Technology Group, said that it would boost share buybacks in listed units to bolster investor confidence.
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Share buybacks
Meanwhile, a growing number of listed companies – many controlled by the government – unveiled plans to buy back shares.
Oil giant Sinopec said that its state-owned parent plans to buy its China- and Hong Kong-listed shares worth at least two billion yuan over the next 12 months to demonstrate “confidence in future growth prospects”.
Orient Securities said that it is studying plans to buy back shares in a bid to express optimism and actively protect shareholder interest.
Other listed firms that unveiled share buyback plans include Intco Recycling Resources, Spring Airlines and China Pacific Insurance (Group).
Such moves were encouraged by regulators.
China’s state-owned asset regulator said on Tuesday it would guide state-owned companies to contribute to market stability, while the country’s financial watchdog unveiled plans to raise stock investment limits for insurers.
State fund Huijin said that it has ample liquidity and smooth financing channels to help it suppress abnormal market volatility in its role as market “stabiliser”.
“Central Huijin has adequate confidence and competence to resolutely maintain smooth operation of the capital market,” Huijin said in a statement. “We will act decisively when needed.”
Separately, China’s central bank said on Tuesday it supported Central Huijin Investment increasing its holdings in stock funds. REUTERS
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