25.12.202502:40:32UTC+00Shanghai Composite Extends Rally to Seven Sessions

The Shanghai Composite Index experienced a modest increase of 7 points, or 0.2%, reaching 3,948 in early trading on Thursday. This uptick marked the index's seventh consecutive session of gains, representing its longest winning streak since July. The upward momentum was largely driven by a growing global interest in Chinese AI firms, as investors sought to diversify their portfolios and possibly discover the next significant player like "DeepSeek" amid ongoing concerns about a potential bubble in U.S. technology stocks. Additionally, the Trump administration announced tariffs on Chinese chip imports, but their implementation has been delayed until June 2027, minimizing any immediate effects. Domestically, Beijing has initiated measures to accelerate urban renewal projects and stabilize the property market by 2026. The utilities and process industry sectors showed positive performance, although declines in consumer durables, transportation, and healthcare limited overall gains. Prominent market players included Ping An Insurance, which rose by 3.7%, Foxconn Industrial with a 1.4% increase, PetroChina at 0.8%, and China Construction Bank, which edged up by 0.4%. In contrast, the Shenzhen Component Index fell by 0.3%, bringing an end to its four-session rally, as traders adopted a more cautious approach ahead of holiday trading.