Mainland banking stocks outperformed the broader market on Friday after news that Beijing is considering easing shareholder restrictions to broaden ⁠capital-raising options for lenders.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 87 points, or 0.35 percent, to open at 24,768.

The China enterprises index was down 12 points, or 0.1 percent, at 8,377 while the tech index was 20 points, or 0.4 percent, lower at 4,740.

Gains for the mainland lending sector came after the banking regulator said it was weighing allowing some bank shareholders to become major investors – defined as holding a 5 percent stake or more – in one to two additional banks, on top of ⁠an upper limit of two currently, ⁠sources have said.

The potential relaxation "has a positive impact on China banks," ‌Citi said in a note to clients.

It would help accelerate banks' loan growth, drive management incentives to boost earnings ⁠and ‌share price, and prod incremental ‌buying from institutional investors including insurers, Citi added.

The move "could broaden ‌the investor base for China banks, and would thus be positive for the sector in ⁠general," JPMorgan said in a report.

The Shanghai Composite Index opened down almost 37 points, or 0.95 percent, at 3,852.

The Shenzhen Component Index was down close to 183 points, or 1.34 percent, at 13,423 while the ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was down 1.1 percent at 3,236.

In Tokyo, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average opened down 364 points, or 0.68 percent, at 53,239. The index was at 53,131 at one point before noon.

In Seoul, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index opened down 159 points, or 2.93 percent, at 5,300. The Kospi edged back up to 5,328 at one point before lunch. (Reuters & Xinhua)



Edited by Raymond Yeung