Hong Kong stocks climb as yuan hits strongest level in nearly 3 years

SCMP | Jan. 12, 2026, 9:31 p.m. | Original

The yuan hit its highest level since May 2023. Bloomberg

Hong Kong stocks rose on Tuesday as global investors broadened their focus beyond US markets, fuelling gains across Asian equities, while the yuan advanced to its strongest level against the US dollar since May 2023.

The Hang Seng Index climbed 1 per cent to 26,877.01 at the noon break, while the Hang Seng Tech Index increased 0.4 per cent. On the mainland, both the CSI 300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index were little changed.

Chinese pharmaceutical and healthcare shares continued to lead the rally. WuXi AppTec, Asia’s largest provider of contract pharmaceutical research, climbed nearly 8 per cent to HK$119.50. CSPC Pharmaceutical Group gained 5.7 per cent to HK$10, while Wuxi Biologics rose 4.3 per cent to HK$39.20.

Limiting the gains, Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding, which manufactures popular instant noodle Kang Shi Fu, fell 3 per cent to HK$12.07. Chinese toymaker Pop Mart International dropped 2.5 per cent to HK$192.10, while short video platform Kuaishou Technology slumped 1.9 per cent to HK$78.70.

WuXi AppTec is among the biggest gainers on Tuesday. Photo: Shutterstock
WuXi AppTec is among the biggest gainers on Tuesday. Photo: Shutterstock

“The Hong Kong market has been largely driven by moves in mainland A shares,” said Kenny Ng Lai-yin, a strategist at Everbright Securities International. “A rebound in some tech names such as Alibaba [Group Holding] has also lifted the index.”

Online shopping scams cost Hongkongers HK$14 million in first week of 2026 Japan’s Takaichi seeks unity with South Korea’s Lee as China tensions persist