Analysts stay cautious over H-share banks

Stock prices of HK-listed mainland lenders to stay flat despite expected earnings boost in Q4 of 2012

Analysts remain conservative on the stock-market performance of H-share mainland banks, although recent data point to stronger profitability and balance sheets.

Sheng Nan, a banking industry analyst with CCB International Securities Ltd, China Construction Bank Corp's investment bank unit, said mainland banks' share prices in Hong Kong will still be "range-bound", despite an expected improvement in earnings for the fourth quarter of 2012.