Hong Kong stocks emerged as the best-performing key market globally in April, after funds sought bargains by shifting out of expensive US and Japanese equities and as China’s growth shows more signs of stabilising.

Hong Kong’s market is the best performer among major peers globally this month, and better-than-expected manufacturing activity in mainland China is expected to add further impetus.

Across 16 sectors, artificial intelligence unicorns are the highest valued, at an average of US$6.76 billion, followed by financial technology firms at US$6.57 billion.

Hong Kong stocks closed near bull market territory after corporate earnings continued to surprise on the upside with property sector support measures on mainland China adding to the momentum.

Chinese local government entities have carried the mantle of cornerstone investors in first-time stock offerings in Hong Kong in the past two years as foreign investors shun deals. Their outsize role could work against the city’s capital market, market experts say.

Guolian Securities plans to buy a 95.48 per cent stake in unlisted Minsheng Securities, in an acquisition that is expected to make it a top-20 brokerage.

Hong Kong stocks rose and completed its best weekly performance since October 2011 as positive earnings from top-tier Chinese companies and supportive policy measures boosted investor confidence

Global investors turn constructive on Chinese stocks after a series of stock market reforms aimed at strengthening scrutiny and boosting returns to shareholders.

Hong Kong stocks rise on optimism that the appetite for Chinese assets is returning as Beijing pledges support to markets and signs of an earnings recovery emerges.

SenseTime’s shares gained as much as 36 per cent after the company launched the latest iteration of its SenseNova large language model.

Hong Kong stocks rose for a third day after earnings optimism drove the benchmark Hang Seng Index to a five-month high.

Goldman says Chinese stocks may rise 40 per cent amid ‘more conducive trading environment’ in near term, while UBS raises ratings on Chinese and Hong Kong stocks to overweight.

Chabaidao’s stock ended the day 27 per cent lower after slumping as much as 38 per cent. It raised about HK$2.6 billion (US$331.7 million) from the sale of 147.8 million shares at HK$17.50 each.

Hong Kong stocks climbed most in three weeks as investors ramped up their buying on expectations that a slew of supportive measures from the Chinese securities watchdog will aid sentiment.

‘There is an increasing demand for diversification from domestic Chinese customers,’ says Joseph Pinto, CEO of London-based money manager M&G Investments.

CSRC’s new chief Wu Qing has sought to improve corporate governance and close deep valuation discounts in a bid to revive investors’ faith in China’s US$9 trillion stock market and these bold moves have met with some early success.

China’s capital market regulators have announced a package of measures to boost liquidity, attract international investors and enhance competitiveness between the mainland and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong stocks fell on Friday as investors were rattled by reports of Israeli missiles hitting Iran, with the heightened Middle East tensions triggering a scramble for safe haven assets.

It is only a matter of time before the currently depressed market stages a rebound, according to Fred Hu of private-equity firm Primavera Capital.

Hong Kong stocks gains were driven by insurance, banks and casino stocks with some investors saying conditions are right for a substantial rally in Chinese shares.

The erratic performance of Chinese stocks is not giving investors the confidence to commit their funds for the long haul, so some are betting on proxies outside the country, according to top wealth managers.

Country Garden is pushing back some onshore bond payments to later dates despite a round of extensions last year, underscoring the financial stress at the Chinese property developer.

Hang Seng Index hovers near a five-week low after comments by Fed chairman Jerome Powell, who said it could take ‘longer than expected’ to get inflation back on target.

Hong Kong stocks struck five week lows as consensus-beating GDP data reduced expectations of a rate cut in China, while weak retail, industrial and property data weighed on sentiment.

Hong Kong stocks declined to three week-lows as rising geopolitical tensions dealt a further setback to investor sentiment, already jittery ahead of a batch of economic data due to be released during the week.

Hong Kong stocks eased, pressured by the weak Chinese yuan currency and following trade data that showed a contraction in exports from the world’s second-largest economy.

Hong Kong stocks tumble after data suggested China’s consumption demand remains weak and as investors lowered their bets on the US Federal Reserve cutting rates in June.