Core Viewpoint - The performance of the Hong Kong stock market is influenced by the alignment of the economic cycles of the US and China, with the current situation indicating a "split" market response to the recent US interest rate cut [1][10]. Group 1: Interest Rate Cuts and Market Response - There are two types of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve: "preventive" and "recessionary," with historical data showing that Hong Kong stocks perform significantly better during preventive cuts [3][6]. - In the case of preventive cuts, such as in 2019, the Hong Kong stock market rose by 11%, with the Hang Seng Tech Index increasing by 20% due to cheaper financing for technology companies [6]. - Conversely, during recessionary cuts, like in 2008, the Hong Kong market plummeted by 40%, as investors favored stable sectors like utilities and consumer staples [8]. Group 2: Variables Affecting Hong Kong Stocks - The current economic cycle is misaligned between the US and China, with the US focusing on a "soft landing" while China is gradually recovering, introducing three unexpected variables that complicate the market outlook [10]. - The first variable is US political interference, particularly from figures like Trump, which could disrupt the Federal Reserve's interest rate strategy and create uncertainty in the market [10][11]. - The second variable is the impact of AI on technology stocks, which now must invest heavily in AI to remain competitive, potentially leading to a stronger performance in this sector if economic conditions are favorable [13]. - The third and most critical variable is the Chinese economic fundamentals, as many Hong Kong-listed companies rely on the mainland market for revenue; without improvement in China's economy, stock prices may struggle to rise despite US interest rate cuts [15]. Group 3: Future Market Scenarios - The Hong Kong stock market is expected to "split" in its performance based on various economic conditions: if the US continues to lower rates and China's economy shows moderate recovery, growth stocks in technology and healthcare may lead the market [17]. - If the US implements aggressive rate cuts and Chinese consumer data exceeds expectations, sectors like real estate and industrials could also benefit from lower financing costs [17]. - In a scenario where the US refrains from further cuts and China's economy shows no significant improvement, investors may need to focus on stable sectors like utilities and high-dividend stocks to mitigate risks [17]. Conclusion - The Hong Kong stock market is influenced by both US interest rate policies and Chinese economic fundamentals, with the potential for growth dependent on the strength of the underlying economic conditions in China [19].