China

Li Chen
27 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong

Stocks in China and Hong Kong meandered amid persistent uncertainty over the Middle East conflict. 

The Hang Seng Index gained 0.4%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.3% as the U.S. prepared for ground invasion. 

Stocks lacked direction amid worries that shipment of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz is likely to remain disrupted for many more weeks.

Moreover, the U.S. and Iran appeared to be further apart in their demands, and a ceasefire is increasingly unlikely. 

The U.S. president extended ceasefire talks by ten more days as the U.S. Navy and Air Force prepared for a ground invasion and to choke off Iran's energy shipments.

The U.S. is preparing to invade Kharg Island and Bandar Abbas as early as next week, and at least 7,000 military personnel are involved, according to sources close to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. 

 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index increased 0.4% to 24,941.07, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 0.3% to 4,495.52. 

Benchmark indexes in Hong Kong decreased 1% and in the mainland declined 3% after a week of chaotic trading. 

Meituan increased 1.4% to HK$87.90, despite the food and on-demand delivery platform operator reporting weaker-than-expected quarterly results. 

Adjusted net income in the fourth quarter swung to a loss of 15 billion yuan compared to a profit of 9.8 billion yuan a year ago. 

The intense price competition between Alibaba and JD.com negatively impacted the companies' quarterly results. 

Kuaishou Technology advanced 1% to HK $46.08 after the short video and live streaming video platform operator reported fourth-quarter results. 

Revenue rose 12% to 39.5 billion yuan, and the company plans to increase its capital expenditure by 70% to 26 billion yuan. 

The company plans to increase its investment in artificial infrastructure and foundational models and agents, co-founder and CEO Cheng Yixiao said on an earnings call with investors.