Local investor sentiment plummets as China woes escalate

Investor outlook dropped to an all-time low.

Singaporean investors are extremely bearish on the Chinese market, revealed the latest Manulife Investor Sentiment Index (MISI).

Investor sentiment towards China dropped by 19 points in the last quarter of 2014. The index dropped to an all-time low of just 5 points during the period, as investors were rocked by slowing Chinese growth and escalating stock market volatility.

The survey showed that most investors appear to be adopting a wait and see approach towards China, with close to half or 48% saying that they would avoid investing further in China until its economy improves.

Investor sentiment on the Singapore market also took a hit in Q4, with the index dropping eight points to 21 points.

“As Singapore’s top trading partner and one of the country’s key investors, any movement in China is bound to affect our economy," said Wendy Lim, CEO of Manulife Asset Management Singapore.