Shanghai Composite Index
The Shanghai Composite Index, which is evaluated based on the performance of the Shanghai stock market, is an important index in China. It was launched on December 19, 1990 and is updated continuously throughout the trading day. The Shanghai Stock Exchange is the largest stock market in the nation and includes over 1,700 listed companies.
The index is a reflection of the overall performance of the stock market and the condition of the economy. It is considered to be a leading index in China and is used by investors to measure economic performance and the overall health of the stock market. It is also used as a benchmark for financial products such as mutual funds and indices in order to assess the performance of different stocks.
The index has a base number of 100, which is set as the reference date of December 19, 1990. The index is calculated by taking the average of the closing prices of all stocks listed in the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
The index components are divided into two categories - A shares and B shares. A shares are shares available to domestic Chinese investors, while B shares are stocks available to foreign investors.
Due to its importance, the Chinese government has taken steps to try and maintain the stability of the index. It often uses its purchase power to try and buy large amounts of securities in order to stabilize prices. The Chinese government also works to ensure that stock prices do not become too high or too low.
Despite these measures, the Shanghai Composite Index can be very volatile. For example, it dropped more than 40% in 2008, due to the global financial crisis and the U.S. credit market crash. It also experienced gains of more than 60%, from late 2014 to mid-2015.
Overall, the Shanghai Composite Index is an important index that is closely watched by investors and financial professionals both inside and outside of China. It has proven to be a reliable indicator of the performance of the Chinese economy, and as a result, is used by investors to gauge their level of risk for specific stocks.