Sentiment in China’s property market rose on expectations that the government will step in to soak up unsold inventory, after plans for Hangzhou to do so came to light. However, analysts and economists remain cautious about the scope of such aid – and whether it is the best way to rescue the market.
Shares of CIFI Holdings jumped 29 per cent to HK$0.49 on Thursday, the biggest increase in almost six months, while peer China Vanke rose 16 per cent to HK$5.73, extending its gain to 24 per cent this month. The Hang Seng Mainland Properties Index, a gauge tracking 10 home builders listed in Hong Kong, advanced 4.9 per cent.
That is a drop in the ocean nationwide, however, as unsold homes stood at 330 million square metres in 2023, the most since 2016, official data showed. Unbuilt or delayed pre-sold homes numbered 20 million across the country in 2022, with 3.2 trillion yuan (US$443 billion) needed for their completion, according to Japanese investment bank Nomura.
Just two weeks ago, the Politburo, the top decision-making body of China’s ruling Community Party, said it was assessing comprehensive measures to reduce housing inventory and boost sales.
Hangzhou’s buying plan is viewed as a strong signal that Beijing is aware of excess inventory and will offer more stimulus policies. But some analysts and economists expressed concerns about funding for such schemes while noting that restoring the confidence of Chinese homebuyers will be difficult.
“We view the initiative as encouraging, and think it will partly help with the absorption of excess inventory, particularly in lower-tier cities with subdued home demand,” said Jeff Zhang, an equity analyst at Morningstar.
But he said he is cautious about whether the measure will be extended to more cities.
“We think local governments will need to ramp up borrowings from financial institutions or receive funds from the central government, which are subject to heightened uncertainty,” he said.
“It may not be the best remedy to rescue the property market,” said Lu Ting, chief China economist at Nomura, who added that such measures will not remedy a lack of buyer confidence amid worries about unfinished homes and falling prices.
“The best direction is providing funds for developers to ensure construction and delivery and secure unsold units as backup affordable housing.”
China’s home sales remain sluggish with prices falling despite several rounds of stimulus measures so far this year, including reductions to mortgage ratios and removal of home-purchase curbs in big cities.
Contracted sales of the top 100 Chinese developers extended a decline in April, dropping 44.9 per cent year on year and 12.9 per cent month on month to 312 billion yuan, data compiled by China Real Estate Information Corporation showed.
Prices of new homes in 70 medium and large cities fell for a 10th consecutive month in March, dropping 0.3 per cent from February, according to official data.