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Overnight the Hang Seng Index and the Hang Seng Tech closed at +0.17% and -0.17% after US-listed China ADRs fell more than -4% yesterday! Let’s compare how Hong Kong’s most heavily traded closed in Hong Kong today versus their US-listed ADRs yesterday: Tencent gained +1.68% versus a -5.42% drop, Alibaba HK fell -1.98% versus a -5.93% drop, and Meituan closed flat at -0.08% versus a -5.61% drop. Other Hong Kong internet stocks versus their US ADRs were JD.com HK -2.03% versus -7.65%, Baidu HK +0.07% versus -0.21%, NetEase HK +0.71% versus -1.08%, and Trip.com HK -1.53% versus -4.91%. Asian investors agreed that removing Softbank as an Alibaba shareholder is a positive as it eliminates the specter of further selling.
We didn’t know why US-listed China ADRs were so weak yesterday, though, after the close, Financial Times reported Softbank reduced their position in Alibaba to 3.8% by selling forward contracts. Softbank’s stake fell from nearly 14% at year-end and 34% at its maximum. The news explains the “liquidation” feel of yesterday’s trading, which had traders scratching their heads. One does have to wonder why the Financial Times did not release the article until after US trading hours. Disappointing as a lot of damage could have been avoided.
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