The Hang Seng Index rose 0.2 per cent to 24,947.45 at the noon break. The Hang Seng Tech Index was little changed. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index rose at least 0.2 per cent.
BYD Electronic International rallied 6.3 per cent to HK$37.64 and coal producer China Shenhua Energy added 3.6 per cent to HK$36.76. On the downside, electric vehicle maker Li Auto sank 3.9 per cent to HK$98.80 and peer BYD slid 1 per cent to HK$111 on renewed concerns about a price war in the industry.
Investors are waiting for more data for insights into whether China’s faster-than-expected economic growth in the first half can hold up. With the Hang Seng Index having gained 24 per cent this year, more catalysts will be needed to power the bull run ahead.
China is due to release July data on foreign trade on Thursday and statistics on consumer and producer inflation over the weekend. Exports probably held onto growth last month, rising 5.6 per cent from a year ago, while producer prices may have dropped 3.4 per cent for a 34th straight month of declines, according to the estimates of economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
Figures on credit supply and new loans may also come out this week, and the earnings season is in full swing, with Wharf Real Estate Investment, Semiconductor Manufacturing International and China Mobile due to disclose first-half reports this week.
