China: Stocks close at 7-month highs on stimulus hopes

[SHANGHAI] China stocks jumped to their highest in more than seven months on Monday, led by property and financial shares, as investors bet that disappointing economic data for July would prod Beijing to unleash fresh stimulus.

The blue-chip CSI300 index jumped 3.0 per cent to 3,393.42 points, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 2.4 per cent to 3,125.20 points.

Both indexes hit levels not seen since early January.

China reported weaker-than-expected investment, lending, retail spending and factory output data on Friday, on top of weak trade numbers, keeping alive hopes the government will roll out more support measures this year to meet its ambitious economic growth targets.

"In light of persistent headwinds from the external sector, weak business sentiment, and a cooling property market, we believe that policymakers need to accelerate policy easing and reforms," Jing Li, an economist at HSBC, wrote in a note.

Real estate stocks gapped higher at the open and ended 7.3 per cent higher, extending Friday's sharp gains. The sector index has now surged some 24 per cent so far this month.

Bellwether developer Vanke jumped its 10 per cent daily limit.

The banking sector also jumped on easing hopes, while brokerage shares posted robust gains on expectations that China will launch a scheme soon to connect the Shenzhen and Hong Kong stock markets and boost cross-border trade.

REUTERS