SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China stocks ended largely flat on Monday, as investors awaited a key Politburo meeting later this week in the hope of stimulus measures to underpin the world’s second-largest economy. Meanwhile, Hong Kong stocks tracked their regional peers higher.
** Asian shares bounced on Monday into a week packed with earnings and a trio of central bank meetings that could see the United States and UK open the door to easing, while Japan might lift borrowing costs in a step toward “normality”.
** In China, the Politburo, a top decision-making body, will meet in coming days. It is expected to shed some light on China’s near-term policy measures following reform plans laid out at the third plenum two weeks ago.
** “For the July Politburo meeting, we expect policymakers to remain cautious on growth headwinds, reinforce their easing stance and signal more policy support for the remainder of this year, especially on the demand-side such as fiscal and housing easing,” analysts at Goldman Sachs said in a note.
“Their long-held stance to support high-tech manufacturing and key supply chains, and to contain systemic financial risks should remain intact, in our view.”
** At the close of trade, China’s main Shanghai Composite index closed up 0.03% at 2,891.85 points.
** The blue-chip CSI300 index was down 0.54% at 3,390.74 points, with its financial sector sub-index higher by 0.56%, the consumer staples sector down 1.75%, the real estate index down 3.15% and the healthcare sub-index down 1.81%.
** The smaller Shenzhen index ended down 0.47% and the start-up board ChiNext Composite index was weaker by 1.44%.
** The Hang Seng index closed up 217.03 points or 1.28% at 17,238.34 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises index rose 1.16% to 6,080.56 points.
** The sub-index of the Hang Seng tracking energy shares rose 2.1%, while the IT sector rose 1.73%, the financial sector ended 1.43% higher and the property sector rose 0.24%.
** Around the region, MSCI’s Asia ex-Japan stock index was firmer by 0.69%, while Japan’s Nikkei index closed up 2.13%.
(Reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)
