Dec 18, 2025, 11:38 GMT+7
Reuters - China shares were flat on Thursday as investors rotated into defensive sectors amid concerns over artificial intelligence spending and regional tensions, while tech and property stocks weighed on sentiment.
** As of the midday trading break, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Indexadded 0.2% to 3,876.40. The blue-chip CSI300 Indexdropped 0.6%.
** In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Indexweakened 0.4%. The Hang Seng Tech Indexlost 1.3%, bringing the loss since the October peak to roughly 20%.
** Leading gains onshore, China's CSI Defense Index (.CSI399959) rose more than 2% to a two-month high, after the U.S. approved an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, the largest ever.
** The CSI Banks Indexadded 1% and the energy sector indexjumped 0.8% as investors piled into defensive plays.
** The financials sectorclimbed 0.2%, with broker CICC surging by the daily limit of 10% after it unveiled plans on Wednesday to buy two smaller rivals in a share-swap deal worth about $16 billion.
** Among the laggards, the CSI AI Indexlost 1.4% and the semiconductor sectorlost 1.1%, after jitters over AI funding dragged tech stocks on Wall Street overnight.
** The CSI 300 Real Estate Indexlost 1.4% as developer Vanke's debt crisis continued.
** "We continue to expect the market to remain volatile at elevated levels, and a clearer signal of sustained upside is still needed," analysts at Huaan Securities said in a note.
** "January following a strong year tends to see heightened swings, suggesting short-term risks of a pullback remain," they added.
** Broader in the region, shares fell as the tech sector took a beating on renewed angst about AI spending, while investors braced for a wave of central bank meetings set to underscore policy divergence worldwide.

Sumber : Reuters