China stocks wobble, HK lower as investors await further stimulus
Updates to market close
By Summer Zhen
HONG KONG, Oct 16 (Reuters) -China stocks logged a choppy session, whileHong Kong shares pared early gains to finish lower on Wednesday, as investors awaited fiscal stimulus details and lookedforward to a government briefing focused on the struggling property sector.
China's blue-chip CSI300 Index .CSI300 dropped 0.6%, while the Shanghai Composite Index .SSEC was up a mild 0.05%.
In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng .HSI edged down 0.2%. and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index .HSCE slid 0.1%.
While policy has pivoted, the sharp run-up in China equities in recent weeks has largely sapped the short-term upside potential, a fund manager survey conducted by BofA Securities showed.
"People are still waiting for more unexpected positive news to the market," said Steven Leung, executive director at UOB Kay Hian, referring to the cautiousmarket sentiment.
China said it will hold a press conference on Thursday to discuss promoting a "steady and healthy" development of the property sector, rekindlinghopes of further policy easing to underpin a recovery in the housing market and a broad economic revival.
Property stocks gained, with the CSI real estate index .CSI000952 and Hong Kong-listed mainland property stocks .HSMPI adding 5.1% and 3.4%, respectively.
Homebuilder Sunac China 1918.HK surged 40%, while China Vanke's mainland 000002.SZ and Hong Kong 2202.HK shares jumped 9% and 19%.
Elsewhere,5G Communications .CSI931079 and photovoltaic stocks .CSI931151 were down 3% and 2.6%.
Swiss private bank UBP believes the policy announcements so far showed China is seeking to place a floor under asset prices and theeconomy as a whole.
"Should renewed pressure on asset prices or consumption emerge, policy in fact stand ready to once again act to shore up both segments of the economy, a positive for investors," said Norman Villamin, UBP Group's chief strategist.
Uncertainties remainedin terms of the scale and implementation of the stimulus, he added.
Chinese stocks have tumbled 10% since Oct. 8, as investors were disappointed by the detail-thinsubsequent fiscal stimulus measures and weak September economic data.
The fall came after a 10-day rally sparked by a policy pivot in late September to pull the economy out of its deflationary funk.
Around the region, MSCI'sAsia ex-Japan stock index .MIAPJ0000PUS closed down0.6%, while Japan's Nikkei index .N225 ended 1.83% lower.
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Reporting by Summer Zhen; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu, Janane Venkatraman and Sumana Nandy
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