China stocks gain as dismal trade data fuels stimulus hopes

SHANGHAI: China stocks ended higher on Monday as poor domestic trade data reinforced hopes for further policy stimulus to shore up the coronavirus-stricken economy.

At the close, the Shanghai Composite index was up 0.24pc at 2,937.77.

The blue-chip CSI300 index was up 0.52pc, with its financial sector sub-index higher by 0.55pc, the consumer staples sector up 0.35pc, the real estate index up 1.14pc and the healthcare sub-index down 1.39pc.

The smaller Shenzhen index ended unchanged and the start-up board ChiNext Composite index was weaker by 0.591pc.

China's exports contracted in May as global coronavirus lockdowns continued to devastate demand, while a sharper-than-expected fall in imports pointed to mounting pressure on manufacturers as global growth stalls.

The sombre trade readings for the world's second-biggest economy could pile pressure on policymakers to roll out more support for a sector that is critical to the livelihoods of more than 180 million workers.

The recovery of China's domestic demand is relatively good, while pressure from external demand could persist, Zhou Yu, an analyst with Pacific Securities, said in a report.

China will strengthen international cooperation in future COVID-19 clinical vaccine trials, building on earlier collaboration in vaccine development, the science and technology minister said on Sunday.

Around the region, MSCI's Asia ex-Japan stock index was firmer by 0.22pc, while Japan's Nikkei index closed up 1.37pc.

At 0727 GMT, the yuan was quoted at 7.075 per US dollar, 0.09pc firmer than the previous close of 7.0812.

As of 0727 GMT, China's A-shares were trading at a premium of 26.22pc over the Hong Kong-listed H-shares.