Hong Kong's stock market saw a muted morning session, with the benchmark Hang Seng Index dropping 0.65%, or 165 points, to close the morning at 25,287 points. The Hang Seng Tech Index took a sharper hit, falling 1.99%, as total turnover for the morning reached HK$136.5 billion. Despite the broader market weakness, pork-related equities emerged as the standout performers, leading sector gains.
Recent data points to a rebound in hog prices, and analysts suggest that the sector's valuation has bottomed out, creating a favorable entry point. Dekon Food and Agriculture (02419) climbed 5.38%, supported by its hog business meeting operational expectations in the first half, alongside a significant improvement in profitability from its yellow-feathered chicken segment. COFCO Joycome Foods (01610) advanced 4%, while Muyuan Foods (02714) gained 4.74%.
In the dairy segment, signals of a reversal in raw milk prices, coupled with positive profit alerts for the interim period, drove strong gains. China Modern Dairy (01117) surged 7%, and YouRan Dairy (09858) climbed more than 5%. Meanwhile, Chow Sang Sang (00116) skyrocketed over 16% after projecting interim profits of approximately HK$2.1 billion to HK$2.2 billion.
Container shipping stocks continued their recent upward trajectory, buoyed by Maersk raising its full-year earnings guidance. Geopolitical risks remain unresolved, keeping freight rates elevated. OOIL (00316) added 3.6%, while SITC International (01308) rose 2.7%.
Oil-related equities also bucked the downtrend, as heightened geopolitical tensions intensified supply concerns. The IEA has warned that the projected supply deficit for Q3 could double from previous estimates. China Oilfield Services (02883) gained 3.7%, and CNOOC (00883) advanced 2%.
Elsewhere, China Lonking (03339) jumped over 11% following expectations of up to a 27% increase in first-half net profit, reflecting a robust industry outlook. GenScript Biotech (01548) extended its rally with a more than 7% gain, as demand for AIDD services accelerates and exceeds market expectations. H World Group (01179) rose over 10% after posting solid Q2 growth and raising its full-year guidance.
On the downside, Wasion Holdings (00833) plunged over 23% after warning that interim net profit could fall by more than 60%, dragged down by losses from integrating an acquired subsidiary. Hisense Home Appliances (00921) dropped 2.93%, as weak demand and rising raw material costs contributed to a 20% decline in first-half net profit.
Memory chip-related stocks saw broad declines, with CSOP SK Hynix 2x Daily Leveraged (07709) falling over 6% and CSOP Samsung Electronics 2x Daily Leveraged (07747) dropping more than 7%.
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