Evergrande back to trading in Hong Kong

The situation with China Evergrande Group, a major Chinese property giant, has been closely watched due to its potential impact on the Chinese economy and global financial markets.

Evergrande’s shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange experienced significant volatility. Trading resumed Tuesday after the suspension placed last week following the news of its CEO Xu Jiayin being under criminal investigation was lifted. The stock initially soared more than 60% before returning to a more modest 16% increase.

Xu Jiayin, the chairman of Evergrande, was reported to be under investigation by Chinese authorities for illegal dealings. This development raised concerns about the company’s future and added to the uncertainty surrounding its massive debt.

The firm has been grappling with a substantial debt burden, estimated at $328 billion as of June. The company faced challenges in issuing new debt due to an investigation into its subsidiary, Hengda Real Estate Group. Key meetings for debt restructuring were also postponed.

The property arm missed a significant bond payment, triggering concerns about potential default and its ability to meet its financial obligations.

China’s property sector has been a crucial driver of economic growth, accounting for a significant portion of GDP. However, the excessive debt levels of major property developers, including Evergrande, raised concerns for China’s financial stability. Policymakers were pressured to implement measures to support the property sector without creating a property market bubble.

Chinese authorities had been working on measures to address the property sector’s challenges, including stricter regulations and efforts to reduce excessive borrowing by property companies. The government aimed to achieve stable and sustainable growth in the sector.

The Evergrande crisis added to challenges facing China’s policymakers in achieving their economic growth target. They sought to avoid a stimulus package similar to the one used during the 2008 financial crisis, which could lead to speculative bubbles.

Evergrande’s financial troubles and the broader issues in China’s property sector have raised concerns about the stability of the Chinese economy and the potential for a global economic impact. Chinese authorities have been working to manage the situation and prevent a systemic crisis while maintaining a balance between supporting growth and controlling excessive debt.