TWO Chinese developers that emerged as favorite targets for short-sellers last year are estimating profits jumped amid record home sales, buoying their shares in recent days.

China Evergrande Group forecast full-year net profit soared between 300 percent to 400 percent to a record high in a Thursday filing, citing the redemption of perpetual securities and fewer expenses — two factors that had eroded profit in 2016.

Earlier last week, Sunac China Holdings Ltd. said net profit probably jumped more than 240 percent, on revenue that almost doubled.

The two leading developers, whose rising debt levels attracted bearish speculators last year, benefited from China’s red-hot home market that defied stringent property curbs. China’s home sales rose 7 percent to a record last year, while the tighter fundraising environment gave larger developers an edge over smaller rivals.

Shares of Evergrande and Sunac, which slumped earlier this year amid concerns that home buying restrictions would hurt sales, have advanced in the past week to pare some losses. That’s come as short interest has climbed again after hitting a low point earlier this year, boding ill for bearish investors.

The higher net profit expected by Evergrande, at about 25.4 billion yuan (US$4 billion), reflected “remarkable success” in its shift to a low-debt strategy, the firm wrote in a statement after its earnings update. Credit Suisse Group AG analysts raised their rating on Evergrande shares to outperform in a note Friday, citing its lower gearing.

This year, Sunac will likely maintain “robust” revenue growth and will improve its leverage, Moody’s Investors Service wrote after the firm announced its profit forecast. (SD-Agencies)