Hong Kong stocks advanced 62 points, or 0.3%, to 25,529 in early Monday trading, ending a three-session losing streak as gains broadened across most sectors. Risk appetite improved in tandem with firmer U.S. stock futures, while reports that senior U.S. and Chinese officials met in Paris to explore potential agreements on agriculture, critical minerals, and wider trade issues added to optimism ahead of President Trump’s anticipated visit to Beijing later this month.
Sentiment was further supported by Chinese activity data showing that both industrial output and retail sales exceeded forecasts in the first two months of 2026. However, the jobless rate for February rose to a six-month high of 5.3%, underscoring persistent labor-market softness. Gains were also restrained by ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, which have kept oil prices elevated and clouded the global inflation outlook.
Among notable movers were Knowledge Atlas (up 9.8%), Pop Mart Intl. (4.6%), Meituan (3.5%), Xiaomi Corp. (2.3%), and China Resources Land (2.0%).
