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China Traders on Tenterhooks as Stocks Reopen Amid Debt Crisis

Fears that an Evergrande collapse might spark financial contagion and curb growth roiled global markets.

China Traders on Tenterhooks as Stocks Reopen Amid Debt Crisis
An electronic ticker displays stock figures. (Photographer: Kyle Lam/Bloomberg)

Investors are bracing for China’s stock market reopening Wednesday after a two-day holiday, with traders finally able to price in the impact of China Evergrande Group’s debt crisis on the nation’s shares.

The world’s largest developer missed interest payments due Monday to at least two of its largest bank creditors, taking the cash-strapped company a step closer to a debt restructuring. Fears that an Evergrande collapse might spark financial contagion and curb growth in the Chinese economy roiled global markets on Monday.

The Hang Seng Index has fallen 2.8% so far this week, slumping on Monday before paring losses somewhat Tuesday. A gauge of property stocks is down 3.9% over that period. Two of the largest global ETFs tracking Chinese shares have slid more than 2% each since Friday’s close while FTSE China A50 futures have dropped about 2.6%.

Here is what a selection of market participants are expecting:

Playing Catchup

Justin Tang, head of Asian research at United First Partners:

“Despite a government bailout of Evergrande being widely expected given the social costs of a fallout, we will see onshore equity holders play catch up with the selloff in offshore listings. Further, in any restructuring bond holders will have priority over equity holders providing yet another reason for the latter to sell.”

Preparing For Worst

Margaret Yang, a strategist at DailyFX:

“It should be a gap down today for A-shares. Evergrande may trigger systemic risk in the financial system. This makes it’s default different from all else. It is huge. People are preparing for the worst.”

Buy Cheap Stocks

GF Securities strategists including Dai Kang write in a note:

The systemic risk is limited but Evergrande may lead to concerns on the property sector. Recommend buying low valuation stocks on dip amid market fluctuation.

Not a Big Worry

Kaiyuan Securities analysts led by Mou Yiling write in a note:

“Even though A shares may be volatile in the short term due to turbulences in the global markets, what investors should focus on remain two fundamental issues: 1) whether global policymakers see containing inflation as their top priority, which we haven’t seen overseas. Domestically CPI hasn’t gone up sharply and we are in the early stage of a loose credit and fiscal expansion period; 2) whether the carbon emission goals are ‘rectified’ by the top leaders.”

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