(Bloomberg) -- China’s economic goals drew a mixed response from market watchers, with some lauding Beijing’s commitment to a growth target of about 5% and others ruing that the largely in-line projections lacked any major positive surprises.
The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, a gauge of Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong, climbed as much as 2.6% in early trading but pared its gain to 1.8% by the mid-day break.
Ahead of the National People’s Congress, many market participants had argued that China would have to enact more forceful measures to strengthen its economy as US President Donald Trump’s tariff salvos add to its existing challenges of deflation and a property crisis. Some now feel that Beijing may have decided it wants to save some ammunition to ward off any more trade blows from Trump.
Here’s a selection of comments from market participants:
Fiona Lim, a senior foreign exchange strategist at Malayan Banking
Homin Lee, a senior macro strategist at Lombard Odier
Yuan Weitao，a manager at Xi’an-based Guofulianhe private fund
Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo Markets
Vey-Sern Ling, managing director at Union Bancaire Privee
Raymond Yeung, chief economist for Greater China at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group
Gary Tan, a portfolio manager at Allspring Global Investments
--With assistance from Winnie Hsu, Iris Ouyang, Charlotte Yang, Yujing Liu, Shulun Huang, John Cheng and Kelly Li.
