Monthly Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index performance 2018-2024
As of March 2024, the SSE Composite Index had closed at 3,041 points. The index reflects the performance of all stocks traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, including both boards, the main board, and the Star market.
SSE still number one
In the greater Chinese region, the stock exchange in Shanghai was the largest, beating the bourses in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. In 2022, the Shanghai Stock Exchange recorded a market capitalization of over 6.7 trillion, which made it the third largest exchange globally. Not only market capitalization was a unique attribute, but the Shanghai Stock Exchange was also home to the most valuable stock in mainland China, which was the baijiu producer Moutai Kweichow.
Limited access
Despite its size, the exchange in Shanghai only grants limited access to overseas investors. The bourse listed A-shares and B-shares. While A-shares are denominated in yuan and almost exclusively available for domestic traders, the prices of B-shares are in U.S. dollars and available for overseas investors as well. In addition, the bourse offers access to foreign investors through a trading accreditation which is supervised by the Chinese authorities. However, these tight controls are the reason why Hong Kong, despite its lower relative market capitalization, remains an important gateway to capital for mainland Chinese companies.
