Hot news
Israeli sources say ceasefire talks have broken down and the Israeli military will continue to launch operations in Rafah
Israeli sources said on the 9th that the ceasefire talks in Cairo have broken down, and the Israeli military will continue to launch operations in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah as planned.
Last week, the number of initial claims for unemployment benefits in the United States was 231000, higher than expected
The number of people applying for unemployment benefits for the first time in the United States last week was 231000, a new high since the week of August 26, 2023, with an estimated 212000 people, compared to the previous value of 208000 people. The number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits in the United States rose to its highest level since August last week, consistent with signs of a gradual cooling in the labor market. The number of people continuously applying for unemployment benefits rose to 1.79 million as of the week ending April 27th, marking the largest increase in a month.
The dovish camp is rapidly growing as the Bank of England maintains interest rates unchanged for the sixth consecutive time
On Thursday local time, the Bank of England announced its latest interest rate resolution, maintaining the benchmark interest rate unchanged for the sixth consecutive meeting. Unlike the previous resolution, there is one more member supporting the interest rate cut, which means that the "first cut" is getting closer and closer.
The buyback amount of Chinese and American stock companies in the past 13 weeks has been the largest in 6 years
The latest research from Deutsche Bank shows that in the past 13 weeks, the amount of stock repurchases announced by US stock companies has exceeded $383 billion, a 30% increase from the same period last year. This is also the largest amount since June 2018.
Hangzhou and Xi'an lifted purchase restrictions on the same day
Hangzhou has completely lifted housing purchase restrictions and will no longer review the eligibility for purchasing houses within the city. Xi'an has completely lifted housing purchase restrictions, and residents who purchase new commercial housing and second-hand housing within the Xi'an area will no longer be eligible for purchase. As of now, apart from Hainan Province, only four first tier cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, as well as some areas of Tianjin and the Hengqin area of Zhuhai, have implemented purchase restrictions on housing.
Global market
The three major US stock indexes collectively closed higher, with the Dow Jones up 0.86%, the S&P 500 up 0.51%, and the Nasdaq up 0.27%.
Most large technology stocks rose, with Apple up 1% and Amazon, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Intel, and Netflix slightly up; Tesla and Nvidia fell more than 1%. Among them, Amazon has reached a new historical high. Trump Media Technology Group rose over 10%, reaching a new closing high since April.
Popular Chinese concept stocks rose generally, with Xiaopeng Automobile rising more than 3%, Bilibili, Weibo, and NIO rising more than 2%, NetEase, JD.com, Alibaba, Futu Holdings, Baidu, and Tencent Music rising more than 1%, and Ideal Automobile and iQiyi slightly rising. Pinduoduo fell more than 1%, while Vipshop will experience a slight decline.
The three major indices of Hong Kong stocks strengthened on Thursday. As of the close, the Hang Seng Index rose 1.22% to close at 18537.81 points; The technology index rose 1.95% to close at 3947.41 points; The state-owned enterprise index rose 1.61% to close at 6560.67 points.
From the perspective of market performance, most stocks such as real estate, shipping, pharmaceuticals, and batteries have strengthened. Previously rising coal stocks saw a correction.
The major European stock indexes collectively closed higher, with the German DAX 30 index up 1.06%, continuing to reach a new historical closing high; The UK stock index rose 0.4%, hitting a historic high for five consecutive trading days; The European STOXX 600 index rose 0.24%, continuing to reach a new historical closing high; The FTSE Pan European Performance 300 Index rose 0.24%, reaching a new historical closing high.
Southbound funds
For the first time in 26 trading days, there has been a net outflow of southbound funds. On Thursday, the transaction was HKD 49.756 billion, with a net outflow of HKD 4.17 billion. Among them, the Shanghai Hong Kong Stock Connect had a net outflow of HKD 3.722 billion, and the Shenzhen Hong Kong Stock Connect had a net outflow of HKD 448 million.
Company News
SMIC (00981. HK) achieved a revenue of 1.75 billion US dollars in Q1 2024, a year-on-year increase of 19.7%. The net profit for the first quarter was 71.8 million US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 68.9%. The gross profit for the first quarter was 239.7 million US dollars, compared to 304.7 million US dollars in the same period last year. SMIC's gross profit margin for the first quarter of 2024 was 13.7%, the fourth quarter of 2023 was 16.4%, and the first quarter of 2023 was 20.8%.
Special Step International (01368. HK): It plans to sell KP Global, which owns the "Geshwei" and "Paladin" brands, to its controlling shareholder, the Ding family, for $151 million. After the sale is completed, a special dividend will be distributed accordingly.
Aobo Holdings (00880. HK): In the first quarter, its total net income was HKD 6.92 billion, an increase of 73% year-on-year, and its net loss was HKD 74 million, a decrease of 91.48% year-on-year; Adjusted EBITDA of HKD 864 million, an increase of 2687% year-on-year.
SMIC (00981. HK): Revenue in the first quarter was 1.75 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 19.7%; The net profit was 71.792 million US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 68.9%.
Huahong Semiconductor (01347. HK); The sales revenue in the first quarter was approximately 460 million US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 27.1%, and the net profit margin was 31.818 million US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 79.1%. The announcement stated that the decrease in sales revenue was mainly due to a decrease in average selling prices.
Unified Enterprise China (00220. HK): The unaudited after tax profit of the invested enterprise in the first quarter was RMB 457 million.
Key data
22:00 Initial value of the University of Michigan Consumer Confidence Index for May in the United States
Financial events
19: The European Central Bank released the minutes of its April monetary policy meeting.
At 21:00, Federal Reserve Director Bauman delivered a speech on financial stability risks.