Top Shorted Stocks: S&P Global Market Intelligence identified the ten most shorted stocks in Hong Kong, with metrics based on the short selling ratio, which measures shares lent out relative to total issued shares.

Leading Stocks: COSCO SHIP HOLD topped the list with a short selling ratio of 40.396%, followed by DONGFANG ELEC and PHARMARON with ratios of 19.528% and 34.783%, respectively.

Stock Performance: The report includes recent price changes and short selling amounts, indicating varying performance among the listed stocks over the past week.

Market Insights: The data reflects investor sentiment and market dynamics, with significant short selling activity observed in companies like PING AN and ZTE, highlighting potential concerns or speculation in the market.

Stock Performance: PHARMARON (03759.HK) opened down 3.37% and is currently trading at $24, reflecting a 3.77% decrease with significant trading volume of 6.4042 million shares.

New Share Placement: The company announced a placement of approximately 58.4408 million new H shares at an 8.5% discount, aiming to raise nearly $1.32 billion in net proceeds.

Share Placement Announcement: Pharmaron plans to issue approximately 58.44 million new H-shares at HKD22.82 each, representing about 3.19% of its enlarged issued share capital and a 16.57% of total issued H-shares, at an 8.5% discount to the previous closing price.

Use of Proceeds: The company anticipates raising around HKD1.334 billion from the placement, with about 70% allocated for enhancing laboratory service facilities, drug process development, and production facilities.

US Stock Market Performance: US stocks fell 398 points (0.8%) following JPMorgan's earnings report, while chip stocks saw increased interest.

Hong Kong Market Opening: The Hong Kong bourse opened higher, with the HSI up 123 points (0.5%) and notable gains in tech stocks like BABA-W and TENCENT.

Inflation Rate in China: China's inflation rate for December was reported at 0.8%, slightly above the previous 0.7% but below the forecast of 0.9%.

Pharmaceutical Sector Activity: Several pharmaceutical stocks, including HANSOH PHARMA and BEONE MEDICINES, opened higher, while PHARMARON anticipated a decrease in full-year profit but still saw a slight increase in stock price.

Stock Performance: PHARMARON (03759.HK) opened flat, peaked at HKD28.32, and last traded at HKD28.26, reflecting a 9.2% increase with a trading volume of 25.4 million shares.

FDA Approval: Pharmaron Shaoxing, a subsidiary of PHARMARON, successfully passed a cGMP PAI by the FDA, allowing it to commence commercial-scale drug production, which UBS views positively for the company's growth.