China stocks end higher on AI optimism; HK shares dip on profit-taking > 자유게시판

SHANGHAI, Feb 19 (Reuters) - China shares closed up on Wednesday, as gains in artificial intelligence (AI)-related firms continued to lift market sentiment, while Hong Kong equities slipped as investors booked profits on some technology stocks.

** China's blue-chip CSI 300 index ended 0.7% higher, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.8%. Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng dipped 0.1%.

** Chinese tech stocks and AI-related shares led gains onshore, up 3% and 2.5%, respectively.

** Concept stocks related to humanoid robot startup Unitree Robotics surged, with Changsheng Sliding Bearings rising 20%.

** The case for buying Chinese stocks, particularly tech shares, is improving, perhaps enough to tempt back long-term investors, investment banks said, noting the emergence of AI startup DeepSeek and a meeting between President Xi Jinping and business leaders in the sector.

** The Hang Seng Index has risen 14% year-to-date, Syair HK Hari ini while the tech index has soared 27%, positioning the Hong Kong market as one of the best performers this year.

** Given the recent surge, selling at the open wouldn't be unexpected, said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone.

** However, sentiment towards China's asset markets is shifting positively, justifying the rally, with any pullbacks likely to be minor, Weston said.

** Hong Kong-listed Alibaba and Baidu shed 1.7% and 2.1%, respectively.

** Meanwhile, chip stocks rose, with China's largest chipmaker SMIC jumping more than 8.3% to a record high and Hua Hong Semiconductor soaring nearly 23%.

** China's new home prices stalled month-on-month in January, official data showed on Wednesday. Onshore property shares rose 0.8%. (Reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Additional Reporting by Ankur Banerjee in Singapore; Editing by Sumana Nandy and Varun H K)