Hang Seng Index Plunges by Around 13%Hang Seng Index Plunges by Around 13%
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (Hong Kong 50 on FXOpen) tumbled by over 13% as trading resumed after the weekend with a sharp bearish gap.
According to media reports, this marked the biggest single-day drop since the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
Hang Seng Index Chart
In our analysis of the upward trend on the Hang Seng (Hong Kong 50 on FXOpen) chart a month ago, we noted that:
→ investor enthusiasm around artificial intelligence was still fuelling the rally;
→ however, the price appeared vulnerable to a correction.
We also highlighted that the outlook would largely depend on the fundamental backdrop, particularly the tariff standoff between China and the United States.
Since then, the Hang Seng Index (Hong Kong 50 on FXOpen) has fallen by around 17%, following the announcement of harsher-than-expected tariffs by President Trump, with China responding in kind.
Despite the drop, Hang Seng is outperforming peers
Despite Monday’s dramatic decline, the Hang Seng is still outperforming several other markets. As shown in the chart above, it remains in positive territory for 2025, unlike:
→ the ASX 200 (Australia 200 on FXOpen);
→ the S&P 500 (US SPX 500 mini on FXOpen);
→ and other global indices, including those in Europe and Japan.
What lies ahead?
Market sentiment remains highly sensitive to tariff-related news. For instance, Bloomberg reported that a post on social media platform X claimed President Trump was considering a 90-day pause on tariffs (excluding China), sparking hopes of a rebound.
Should Trump choose to soften the recently announced tariffs, this could act as a catalyst for a strong recovery across global equity markets.
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Hangsenganalysis
Chinese Stocks Decline Amid Tariff ThreatsChinese Stocks Decline Amid Tariff Threats
According to Bloomberg, President Donald Trump raised the possibility of imposing tariffs on China during his second day in office.
“We’re considering a 10% tariff on China,” Trump announced during a White House event on Tuesday, indicating February 1 as a potential start date.
During his election campaign, Trump had mentioned tariffs as high as 60%, and the prospect of transitioning from campaign rhetoric to real action is driving bearish sentiment.
According to the technical analysis of the Hang Seng Index (Hong Kong 50 on FXOpen), price fluctuations have been forming a downward trend since October. The formation of the 2025 peak (indicated with an arrow) signals bearish tendencies, as the price failed to hold above:
→ The previous high from December, near 20,210, indicating a false breakout.
→ The psychological level of 20,000.
If Trump follows through on his promises, it is reasonable to anticipate that bears may take control of lower levels in the coming sessions.
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This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Hang Seng: Thumbed 👍Exemplarily, Hang Seng has thumbed our target zone and turned upwards from there. Thus, we classify wave 2 in turquoise as complete. Now, wave 3 in turquoise should carry Hang Seng above the resistance at 21 056 points. The counter movement of wave 4 in turquoise should then push the index back toward this mark before the ascent can be resumed once again. However, there is a 39% chance that Hang Seng could interrupt the current upwards movement, shifting southwards to develop the new low of wave alt.2 in turquoise, which should then be established before the support at 17 948 points.
Hang Seng: Wait for It… ☝️Hang Seng is still busy in the magenta-colored zone between 20 867 and 18 707 points. On the one hand, the index has slowed the descent and could very well have completed wave (4) in magenta by now, readying itself to take off. After all, the requirements for the current movement’s conclusion have already been met by touching at the magenta-colored zone. On the other hand, Hang Seng still has got some room to expand wave (4) a bit deeper and could indeed make use of the whole magenta-colored zone. As soon as this low is established, though, the index should turn upwards and climb above the resistance at 22 798 points. However, there is a 36% chance that Hang Seng could develop wave alt.A and alt.B in turquoise first, the latter leading it out of the magenta-colored zone. In that case, wave alt.C should push the index back down into this area, where it should finish wave alt.(4) in magenta as well before moving northwards again.