This week’s plunge in Chinese education stocks signals how investors can quickly turn away from the industry if they anticipate President Xin Jinping will intensify a crackdown.
- A Bloomberg Intelligence index of Chinese education companies has plummeted 27% in the last three days, the steepest loss since the government announced massive reforms of the industry in July.
- The gauge is at its lowest point since 2015. China Education Group Holdings Ltd. plunged 21% on Thursday, taking its slump this week to 54%.
- The massive crush was driven by an unverified document from the Ministry of Education that was circulated among traders on Tuesday.
- The speculation included a possible bank on the variable interest entity structure utilized by China education firms to list in foreign exchanges, restrictions on their school assets, and tuition-free increases.
There has been no official clarification on the issue, and the firms were not aware of impending rules. Beijing has been silent on the issue, exacerbating the industry sell-off.
China Education Group Holdings Ltd down -24.15%
Source: Bloomberg