Chinese Government Considers Measures to Boost Faltering Stock Market

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ICARO Media Group
News
23/01/2024 21h22

In an effort to revive its sluggish stock market, the Chinese government is considering various measures to uplift investor sentiment. Reports indicate that policymakers are contemplating a spending spree to support the market by acquiring stocks. This news has triggered a rally in some of China's prominent technology stocks.

On Tuesday, shares of Alibaba Group, Baidu, and JD.com, three of China's largest technology companies, saw significant gains. Alibaba Group surged by 6.9%, Baidu jumped by 6.7%, and JD.com climbed as much as 6.2%, outpacing the broader market. These robust performances come as the Chinese stock market has endured a continuous decline over the past year, marking its third consecutive year of decline and reaching its lowest point in nearly five years.

China's economy, as the world's second-largest, has been grappling with a range of challenges, including a record-setting plunge in real estate values, mounting debt, and deflation. In response, Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced plans to take powerful and effective measures to stabilize both the market and investor confidence. He emphasized the need for consistent macro policy orientations, innovative and coordinated policy tools, and promoting stable and healthy development in the capital market.

To jump-start these efforts, China intends to utilize 2 trillion yuan (approximately $278 billion) held by state-controlled companies to invest in Chinese stocks. Additionally, 300 billion yuan ($42 billion) from local sources will be allocated for further investment.

Furthermore, reports suggest that Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba, has been increasing his holdings in the company, with other high-profile executives and business associates following suit. Ma has purchased around $50 million of Alibaba stock on the open market over the past three months, while his long-time friend Joe Tsai has purchased $151 million, indicating their confidence in the stock's undervalued status.

While investors have welcomed the government's actions to bolster the stock market, the long-term impact remains uncertain. The performance of companies like Alibaba, JD.com, and Baidu heavily relies on consumer spending and a robust economy. However, China's economic headwinds, coupled with high unemployment and reduced consumer spending, pose challenges to these companies' growth prospects.

Despite these obstacles, the stocks of Alibaba, JD.com, and Baidu currently trade at compelling valuations, with a price-to-sales ratio of 2 or less, indicating potential undervaluation. Moreover, any improvement in China's economic landscape is expected to enhance consumer spending, benefiting these companies.

It is important to note that investing in China carries additional risks, and any investment should be appropriately sized and part of a well-diversified portfolio. While these stocks present an opportunity for long-term investors with a tolerance for volatility, caution should be exercised considering the uncertain future amid the prevailing economic conditions.

As the Chinese government takes steps to breathe new life into the stock market, it remains to be seen how these measures will shape the future of China's economy and the companies reliant on it.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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