Property sector hit on central bank news
15/6/2005 9:39
Shanghai Daily news
Shares in Shanghai dipped
yesterday as real estate developers took a hit after the central bank required
local lenders to tighten property loans. "The move may dent profits at
developers who have been counting on a boom in the city's housing market the
past two years," said Lu Chengde, a Guosen Securities Co analyst. The
shanghai Composite Index, which groups yuan-denominated A shares and
foreign-currency B shares, lost 1.16 percent to 1,093.46. The a-share Index
also slipped 1.16 percent to 1,147.98 while the B-share Index dropped 1.46
percent to 67.54. The people's Bank of China's Shanghai Branch issued new
lending guidelines late on Monday to commercial lenders. It urged them to curb
loans to office and retail development projects and luxury residential
properties. The central bank also ordered lenders to increase down payments
for applicants seeking mortgages on high-end residential units. It did not
provide further details. Shanghai lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone
Development Co tumbled 1.88 percent to 5.21 yuan (63 US cents). Shanghai
shimao Co, which is owned by property tycoon Xu Rongmao, lost 3.09 percent to
close at 3.76 yuan. Shanghai waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone Development Co, a
property developer, fell 1.24 percent to 5.58 yuan. Sany heavy Industry Co
surged 10 percent to 21.65 yuan on its first trading day since June 1.
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