Global hedge funds further offloaded Chinese stocks in Nov

Screens showing the Hang Seng stock index and stock prices are seen outside Exchange Square, in Hong Kong, China, Aug 18, 2023. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File photo

HONG KONG  – China and broader emerging Asia market stocks were among the most net sold regions by global hedge funds in November, Goldman Sachs said, as fund managers further reduced exposure to the world’s second-largest economy.

Chinese equities saw net outflow from long/short fund managers for a fourth successive month, mainly due to reduction in long bets, Goldman Sachs’ prime services team said in a report on Monday, without revealing the figure.

This was also the ninth month of net outflows this year, the bank said, dragging emerging Asia to become the region with the largest net outflows across the world.

In contrast to a broad rally in major global indexes on U.S. rate cut optimism, China’s CSI 300 Index declined 2 percent while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.4 percent in November, both posting their fourth-straight losing month.

Investors remain wary amid sluggish Chinese economic data and a persistent crisis in the property sector, even as U.S.-China relations showed signs of warming up after U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting last month.

U.S.-listed Chinese stocks and mainland A-shares led the selloff in November, Goldman Sachs said, adding it was “partially offset by net buying in H-shares.”

Within emerging Asia markets, Taiwan also recorded net outflows last month, while South Korea saw the largest net inflows, Goldman Sachs said.

Hedge funds rotated their positions to developed Asia markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, which saw net purchases in the month.

On a positive note, foreign capital outflows, including both retail and institution money, from mainland China A-shares via the northbound trading link moderated in November.

Outflows stood at 1.8 billion yuan ($252.2 million), compared to over 30 billion yuan in October and September each.

($1 = 7.1381 Chinese yuan renminbi)