Amid growing concerns that the S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) was set for a significant sell-off, positive news from China saw the market rally throughout the session on Wednesday.
The market ultimately finished 0.3% higher with materials and mining adding 2%, starting to recoup the losses of the last few weeks.
Tuesday’s losers were Wednesday’s winners, with Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) jumping 5.8% and Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) gaining 4.5%. The energy and property sectors also gained over 2% and 1%, respectively, as the risk-on mood returned.
Evergrande default delayed
The positive sentiment came from news that Chinese property developer Evergrande had reached a deal with bondholders and would not be defaulting on their upcoming repayments.
Whilst this may only be a temporary reprieve, it is a positive sign for a more orderly process. The People’s Bank of China also allayed fears over liquidity, providing a $120 billion yuan injection into the banking sector.
Zip expands to India
Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) garnered the headlines on a generally slow news day, with the company announcing the acquisition of a minority share in Indian BNPL player ZestMoney.
It marks Zip’s first entry into the massive Indian market with the company having 11 million users, 10,000 merchants and a point of presence in some 75,000 stores. The investment will cost just US$50 million with an option to increase its stake over time as it seeks to dominate the potentially US$300 billion market.
The CEO highlighted the unique position of India, noting that “while buy now, pay later is emerging as a preferred mode of payment globally, in India it also plays a crucial role in driving access to credit”. Management suggests many Indians will skip the traditional sources of credit.
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Westpac’s PNG deal culled, RBA worried about house prices
Westpac Banking Corp’s (ASX: WBC) deal to sell its PNG business to ASX-listed Kina Securities Ltd (ASX: KSL) was rejected by the competition authority, yet shares in KSL finished 3.5% higher regardless.
The RBA also raised concerns about speculative activity in housing markets with the risk of significant falls should prices continue to diverge from fundamentals.
Meanwhile, retailer Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV) was the biggest detractor in the ASX 200, down 4.5% despite no new market release. Investors are seemingly concerned that the retail ‘snapback’ may not be as strong as predicted post lockdowns.
ASX 200 today
The ASX 200 is heading towards a positive open on Thursday after all three US benchmarks closed higher overnight. For all the latest, check out my US stock market report.