China’s Stock-Index Futures Little Changed Before Economic Data

Bloomberg ( 18/10 ) - China’s stock-index futures were little changed before the release of data on economic growth and industrial output. Benchmark indexes were headed for a weekly decline.Futures on the CSI 300 Index expiring in November slipped less than 0.1 percent to 2,409.60 as of 9:21 a.m. local time. The nation’s economy probably expanded 7.8 percent in the third quarter, according to the median forecast of 48 economists compiled by Bloomberg. That compared with growth of 7.5 percent in the previous quarter. The data are due at 10 a.m. local time.“The market is expecting growth will match estimates and anything less will be disappointing,” Stephen Green, head of Greater China research at Standard Chartered Plc, said in an interview in Shanghai today.The Shanghai Composite Index dropped 0.2 percent to 2,188.54 yesterday, the lowest close this month. The CSI 300 Index declined 0.3 percent to 2,413.33. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index retreated 0.6 percent. The Bloomberg China-US Equity Index added 0.7 percent in New York yesterday.The Shanghai gauge has declined 1.8 percent this week, heading for the first weekly drop this month, as companies linked to the city’s free-trade zone tumbled on concern valuations are excessive.CSR Corp. and China CNR Corp., the largest train makers, may advance after Premier Li Keqiang said he hopes China can help Australia as it studies building its first high-speed railway.Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. may move after the China Securities Journal said the steelmaker may set up an electronic iron ore spot trading platform in the Shanghai free-trade zone.