China stocks track Asian markets higher; Hong Kong slips

SHANGHAI, June 18 (Reuters) – China stocks edged up on
Tuesday, tracking regional markets higher ahead of comments from
Federal Reserve officials later in the day, while Hong Kong
shares slipped.

Global investors are looking to a slew of speakers from the
Federal Reserve for more clues on the U.S. central bank’s
rate-cutting trajectory following last week’s decision to stay
pat on policy.

Data on Monday showed China’s May industrial output lagged
expectations, with the property sector still weak, putting more
pressure on Beijing for policy support to shore up growth. But
retail sales beat forecasts thanks to a holiday boost.

“China’s economic growth does not appear likely to improve
substantially in the coming months, though it is also not weak
enough to trigger a government response, meaning market
participants will be once again waiting for more policy support
to arrive,” Gavekal Dragonomics analysts said in a note.

** At the close, the Shanghai Composite index was up
0.48% at 3,030.25.

** The blue-chip CSI300 index was up 0.27%, with
its financial sector sub-index higher by 0.32%, the
consumer staples sector down 1.33%, the real estate
index down 1.23% and the healthcare sub-index
down 0.98%.

** At the close of trade, the Hang Seng index was
down 20.57 points or 0.11% at 17,915.55. The Hang Seng China
Enterprises index fell 0.08% to 6,368.1.

** The sub-index of the Hang Seng tracking energy shares
rose 0.3%, while the IT sector dipped 0.66%,
the financial sector ended 0.37% higher and the property
sector dipped 0.98%.

** The smaller Shenzhen index ended up 0.71% and the
start-up board ChiNext Composite index was higher by
0.286%.

** Around the region, MSCI’s Asia ex-Japan stock index
was firmer by 0.61%, while Japan’s Nikkei index
closed up 1%.
(Reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Savio D’Souza and
Sohini Goswami)