Six listing candidates from the mainland are expected to make strong debuts in Hong Kong over the coming days, thanks to an on-going investment craze sweeping the stock market, analysts said.

"The market is going well, so well that every stock could become an investment favorite," said Andes Cheng, associate director of South China Research Ltd.

"Almost all of the stocks listed in the past few weeks have seen price jumps on their debut," he said.

Such bullish sentiment will last until the Christmas holidays and bodes well for upcoming listings, said Kenny Tang, associate director at Tung Tai Securities.

"In the past four to five weeks, retail investors have shown a strong desire to buy newly-listed shares. That desire will not fade until the holiday ends," he said.

From today until next Wednesday, six mainland firms are expected to trade their shares in Hong Kong. They include Zhongshan-based property developer Agile Property, garment manufacturer China Ting and electronic power meters maker Wasion Meters.

Also due to debut are Xiamen International Port, pharmaceutical manufacturer Lijun International and Guangzhou Investment Real Estate Investment Trust (GZI REIT).

Among them, Tang said, two property stocks, Agile Property and GZI REIT, will trade particularly well.

"All property-related stocks are hot at the moment," said Tang.

Agile Property, which saw its retail tranche in its initial public offering (IPO) over-subscribed by more than 100 times, is expecting a good beginning.

"It would not be surprising to see Agile's price surge by as much as 30 per cent on its debut," said Tang.

Guangzhou Investment Real Estate Investment Trust (GZI REIT), as the first mainland REIT to be listed overseas, could bring property fever to its height, Tang added.

GZI REIT is also the last stock to be listed in Hong Kong this year. Its shares will begin trading on December 12, two days before the holiday close.

Other listing candidates to debut between the two may also see price jumps, both analysts said.

(China Daily December 14, 2005)