China stocks end flat ahead of Politburo meeting; Hong Kong tracks regional peers higher
Updates to the close
SHANGHAI, July 29 (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 .SSEC closed up 0.03% at 2,891.85 points.
** The blue-chip CSI300 index .CSI300 was down 0.54% at 3,390.74 points, with its financial sector sub-index .CSI300FS higher by 0.56%, the consumer staples sector .CSI000912 down 1.75%, the real estate index .CSI000952 down 3.15% and the healthcare sub-index .CSI300HC down 1.81%.
** The smaller Shenzhen index .SZSC ended down 0.47% and the start-up board ChiNext Composite index .CNT was weaker by 1.44%.
** The Hang Seng index .HSI closed up 217.03 points or 1.28% at 17,238.34 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises index .HSCE rose 1.16% to 6,080.56 points.
** The sub-index of the Hang Seng tracking energy shares .HSCIE rose 2.1%, while the IT sector .HSCIIT rose 1.73%, the financial sector .HSNF ended 1.43% higher and the property sector rose 0.24%.
** Around the region, MSCI's Asia ex-Japan stock index .MIAPJ0000PUS was firmer by 0.69%, while Japan's Nikkei index .N225 closed up 2.13%.
Reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala
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