The Hang Seng fell 79 points, or 0.3%, to close at 26,845 on Friday, marking the second session of losses as weakness in most sectors offset early strength. Caution prevailed ahead of key China data due next week, including Q4 GDP, December industrial output, retail sales, and the loan prime rate fixing. A drop in mainland stocks also weighed on sentiment, with traders taking profits after markets recently hit decade highs on AI optimism. Policy pressure added to the decline after Beijing tightened margin financing rules effective January 19. Still, Hong Kong shares rose 2.3% weekly, reversing the prior weakness, after the PBoC signaled further cuts to banks’ reserve requirements and policy rates remain possible. Meanwhile, new yuan loans in December exceeded expectations on stronger year-end demand. Chow Tai Fook slipped 1.5% despite global expansion, while Haidilao dipped 1.3% on a CEO change. Other laggards included Pop Mart (-5.7%), Tencent Music (-4.7%), and Xiaomi Corp. (-1.9%).
