MONEY MASTER

Hong Kong’s primary market is showing clear signs of revival. Four companies launched share offerings on Friday, aiming to raise up to  HK$4.9 billion (US$626 million)  combined — extending what is already the city’s strongest start to a year since 2021. A Strong Start to 2026 Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing  has seen IPOs and secondary listings raise approximately  US$5.5 billion in January , the best January performance since 2021 (US$7.6 billion). The Lunar New Year pause is over — and deal flow is accelerating. Money Master Take This isn’t just about four IPOs. It’s about what reopening issuance tells you about capital markets. 1️⃣ Primary Market Confidence Is Returning When IPO pipelines reopen aggressively: Bankers sense demand Issuers believe valuations are acceptable Institutional money is deploying capital The fact that four deals launched simultaneously suggests  risk appetite has improved materially in Greater China equities . 2️⃣ Sector Positioning ...

Chinese equities experienced their biggest weekly rally since 2008, as a massive wave of buying overwhelmed the Shanghai stock exchange on Friday. The CSI 300 Index surged 4.5% , bringing its weekly gain to 16% , following a series of economic stimulus measures announced by Xi Jinping's government . Trading was so intense that it caused glitches and delays in processing orders, prompting the Shanghai exchange to investigate. This burst of activity signals a shift in investor sentiment after years of losses, with China's US$8.9 trillion stock market having been one of the world's worst performers. Earlier in the week, Chinese authorities launched a much-anticipated monetary stimulus package and pledged further support for the housing market and consumption . Although the details of the stimulus plan are still emerging, many investors are afraid of missing out on a potential sustained rally . As domestic markets close for Golden Week holidays , investors are eager ...