Did the Chinese J-10 Fighter Jet Maker Just Suffer a Stock Crash After India's Victory?

Synopsis
In a stunning turn of events, Chinese defense firm Avic Chengdu Aircraft faces a stock plunge following India's decisive military victory. With shares dropping nearly 12%, the implications for both the Chinese defense market and Indian forces are profound. Dive into the details of this high-stakes conflict and its repercussions on international arms supply dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- Chinese defense firm Avic Chengdu Aircraft's stock declined by 12%.
- Indian defense sector stocks surged in response to military success.
- Successful interception of PL-15 missile raised questions about Chinese technology.
- Nifty India Defence Index gained 9.39% amidst ongoing military actions.
- Investor confidence is shifting towards Indian defense companies.
New Delhi, May 15 (NationPress) The Chinese defense company Avic Chengdu Aircraft, known for producing the J-10 fighter jets utilized by Pakistan during the recent conflict with India, experienced a dramatic decline in its share price, plummeting nearly 12 percent.
This significant drop in stock value followed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address celebrating the successful execution of 'Operation Sindoor', which marked a decisive victory for India.
Chinese defense stocks faced intense selling pressure this week, while Indian defense sector shares rallied.
From a closing price of 95.86 yuan per share on Monday, Avic Chengdu Aircraft’s stock has fallen by more than 11.50 percent.
On Thursday, the stock was recorded at 85.20 yuan per share, hitting an intra-day low of 85 yuan, reflecting a decline exceeding 11.50 percent over three consecutive days.
Previously, shares of Zhuzhou Hongda Electronics Corp Ltd, which manufactures the PL-15 missile, also experienced a significant drop after India’s air defense effectively intercepted and destroyed this missile during the conflict.
The stock decline followed confirmation from Indian defense forces that the PL-15 missile, provided to Pakistan by China, was unable to breach India’s advanced multi-layered air defense system.
The PL-15, a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile employed by Pakistan’s JF-17 and J-10 fighter jets, was neutralized by indigenous defense mechanisms.
This successful interception has cast doubt on the actual efficacy of China’s missile technology, likely contributing to the waning investor confidence in Zhuzhou Hongda.
Before the ceasefire, Chinese defense stocks had surged, driven by investor optimism that Beijing could become a major arms supplier to Pakistan if the conflict persisted.
Conversely, India’s defense sector has seen remarkable growth in market capitalization, increasing by an impressive Rs 86,211 crore since the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives.
The Nifty India Defence Index, which tracks leading defense stocks, has risen by 9.39 percent since the commencement of military actions, contrasting sharply with the 1.98 percent rise in the benchmark Nifty during the same timeframe.
This surge in the defense sector is reflected in the contributions of major players to market capitalization. Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has added Rs 23,683 crore to the sector’s value, while Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Bharat Dynamics have contributed Rs 21,654 crore and Rs 12,345 crore, respectively.
Additionally, companies such as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Solar Industries significantly impacted overall market cap gains, contributing Rs 9,971 crore and Rs 6,859 crore, respectively.