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China Blue-chip Stocks Hit 5-year Lows, Yuan Eases after Moody's Move

People walk at a shopping compound in Beijing, China December 6, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
People walk at a shopping compound in Beijing, China December 6, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
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China Blue-chip Stocks Hit 5-year Lows, Yuan Eases after Moody's Move

People walk at a shopping compound in Beijing, China December 6, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
People walk at a shopping compound in Beijing, China December 6, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

China's blue-chip stocks slumped to an almost five-year trough on Wednesday while the yuan currency extended losses, as markets grappled with Moody's cut to China's credit outlook at a time of growing worries about the economy's stuttering recovery.
The ratings agency issued a downgrade warning on China's credit rating on Tuesday, saying costs to bail out local governments and state firms and control its property crisis would weigh on the world's second-largest economy.
China stocks opened down with the CSI300 Index touching its lowest level since Feb. 2019, before recouping earlier losses. It was up 0.2% by midday, while the Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.1%.
Chinese markets have had a torrid time this year as a shaky economic recovery and a deepening property crisis have added to geopolitical challenges, including protracted Sino-US tensions over tech and trade.
The CSI300 Index has tumbled 12.2% so far this year and is set to record one of the worst performer in the region.
The Hang Seng Index, meanwhile, rebounded roughly 0.7% in morning trade, with tech shares leading gains.
"The CSI300 index was hit the hardest in terms of valuation, as the index gets more allocations from foreign investors. Adding the impact of Moody's cut, the index may find a bottom and rebound soon," said Pang Xichun, research director at Nanjing RiskHunt Investment Management Co.
Foreign capital recorded a net inflow via the northbound trading link as of midday, after three consecutive sessions of outflows.
"Moody's decision to downgrade its outlook on China's debt is the latest link in a long string of recent disappointments for investors in Chinese equities," said Yasser El-Shimy, investment analyst at The Motley Fool.
China's economic recovery has shown signs of losing steam quickly after an initial burst in consumer and business activity at the start of the year, weighed down by an ailing housing market, local government debt risks and slow global growth.
FRAGILE YUAN
In the currency market, China's yuan slipped against the dollar on Wednesday even as major state-owned banks continued their efforts to stabilise the currency.
The central bank, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), extended its months-long trend of setting daily guidance fix at levels stronger than market projections, which traders and analysts have widely interpreted as an official attempt to keep the currency stable.
On Wednesday, the PBOC set the midpoint rate, around which the yuan is allowed to trade in a 2% band, at 7.1140 per dollar prior to market opening, 13 pips weaker than the previous fix of 7.1127. But it was 336 pips firmer than Reuters estimate of 7.1476.
"The strong yuan fix continues to convey a message of support for the yuan as domestic demand remains fragile and China's property market continues to struggle to find a foothold," Maybank analysts said in a note.
The spot yuan rate opened at 7.1570 per dollar and was changing hands at 7.1578 at midday, 98 pips weaker than the previous late session close.
China's major state-owned banks stepped up US dollar selling forcefully after the Moody's statement on Tuesday, and they continued to sell the greenback on Wednesday morning, Reuters reported.
The yuan has had a volatile year, having weakened 6.14% to the dollar at one point before recouping some of the losses on growing bets that US interest rates have peaked.
The yuan strengthened 2.55% in November, its best month this year, but it is still down 3.6% year-to-date.
Other global ratings agencies, Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings, made no changes to their respective China credit ratings.
Fitch affirmed China's A+ rating with a stable outlook in August, while S&P Global said on Wednesday it has retained China's A+ rating with a 'stable' outlook.
"We last affirmed our A+ long term ratings on China in June with stable outlook and there has been no changes to that yet," said S&P in an emailed response to queries from Reuters.

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COP29 President to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Aim for Fair Climate Ambitions, Value Saudi Efforts

Security personnel walk outside the venue of the COP29 conference. (AP)
Security personnel walk outside the venue of the COP29 conference. (AP)
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COP29 President to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Aim for Fair Climate Ambitions, Value Saudi Efforts

Security personnel walk outside the venue of the COP29 conference. (AP)
Security personnel walk outside the venue of the COP29 conference. (AP)

The appointed president of the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP29), Mukhtar Babayev, emphasized that the conference has a clear vision to advance ambition and empower action toward achieving the 1.5°C target.

“We aim for fair climate ambitions and sustainable financing,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat, pointing to Saudi Arabia’s efforts in addressing critical climate issues.

Azerbaijan will host COP29 starting Monday, with the conference running through November 22, to address the rising threats of climate change. The top priority will be reaching an agreement on a new climate finance target.

On the eve of the meeting, Babayev told Asharq Al-Awsat that the vision involves “enhancing ambition” by having parties submit Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plans, and biennial transparency reports as signals of commitment and guidance on mutual support.

Babayev, who also serves as Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, added that empowering action requires increased climate financing from multiple sources to turn ambitions into concrete actions. Key goals include establishing a fair, ambitious climate finance target, finalizing Article 6 implementation, reforming multilateral development banks to address climate efforts more effectively, and mobilizing the private sector to play a key role, he underlined.

Article 6 is a core component of the Paris Agreement, focusing on the development of carbon markets, where countries, companies, and individuals can trade carbon credits.

Babayev also noted that COP29 has launched its action program, with initiatives to advance various issues beyond the formal negotiations.

“Much of our strategy builds on past progress and prior commitments, from the Paris Agreement to the global stocktake,” he said. “By working closely with parties, including Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Middle East and North Africa, we hope to make real strides this year.”

Geopolitical tensions

Babayev acknowledged that geopolitical tensions present ongoing challenges to global climate action.

However, he said COP29 provides an opportunity to unite countries around a shared goal: addressing climate change.

“As COP29 president, our strategy centers on diplomacy, inclusivity, and practical solutions to ensure that political issues do not hinder progress,” he explained. Climate change affects all countries, creating common ground for cooperation.

Vulnerable nations

Babayev highlighted the COP29 presidency’s commitment to prioritizing the needs of small island developing states and the least developed countries, as they are disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions.

“In COP29 presidency consultations, we presented a vision based on two parallel pillars: enhancing ambition and empowering action, with climate finance as a top priority. Reaching an agreement on a fair, ambitious new climate finance target, or the new collective quantified goal, is essential for addressing the severe climate impacts facing frontline communities, including small island developing states and the least developed countries,” he said.

Collective quantified goal

Babayev underscored the new collective quantified goal as a key priority at COP-29, saying: “The top negotiation priority for the COP29 presidency is reaching agreement on a fair and ambitious new climate finance target.”

He continued: “We know the needs are in the trillions, but perspectives differ on how to achieve this. Realistically, public sector contributions and mobilization appear to be in the hundreds of billions. The new target should also include detailed qualitative elements, and we’ve seen progress in terms of access, robust transparency arrangements, structure, and a ten-year framework.”

Upholding commitments

Ensuring that past commitments are honored is a top priority for the COP29 presidency, according to Babayev.

“Transparency is essential to mutual trust within the UNFCCC process, and the COP29 presidency has emphasized enhancing transparency, with biennial transparency reports crucial for tracking progress on commitments and assessing financial gaps and needs,” he explained.

Azerbaijan will lead by example by submitting its own biennial transparency reports ahead of COP29, and Babayev encouraged other parties to do the same. “We are creating a platform for parties to demonstrate their commitment to transparency and publish their biennial transparency reports on time,” he added.

Loss and damage fund and additional pledges

Recognizing COP29’s role in securing additional pledges and enhancing funds to better support vulnerable communities, Babayev stated: “The COP29 presidency is committed to addressing these concerns directly. We recently made substantial progress in Baku and are proud of the role we have played so far.”

He explained: “At the third meeting of the Loss and Damage Fund Board, held in Baku, we took significant steps to establish the financial groundwork for disbursements starting in 2025. Hundreds of millions already pledged will provide practical support to the most vulnerable communities, and we will use COP29 as a platform to call for additional contributions to further strengthen the fund.”

Babayev also acknowledged the contributions of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and North Africa region, noting that Saudi Arabia has played a vital role through its leadership of the Arab negotiating group, representing the region’s views and priorities on the global stage.

“We appreciate the efforts of our partners in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and North Africa in addressing the critical climate issues affecting us all,” he said.

Reflecting on his meeting with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman in Jeddah earlier this year, Babayev noted: “We discussed opportunities for collaboration on climate action and how we can work together most effectively to achieve the goals and principles of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.”

He welcomed Saudi Arabia’s initiatives to address climate change, including renewable energy use, emissions management, and carbon reduction and removal efforts such as the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, along with circular carbon economy practices, technologies, and other national and regional programs.