What is the Hang Seng?

The Hang Seng Index (HSI) is the main indicator of the overall market performance in Hong Kong. It tracks the daily changes of the largest and most liquid companies listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK).

Because Hong Kong acts as a major global financial hub and a primary gateway to mainland China, the index is heavily weighted with massive Chinese technology, financial, and property conglomerates. Heavyweights include Tencent, Alibaba, HSBC, and Meituan. It is closely monitored by investors as a barometer for both the Chinese economy and broader Asian market sentiment.

Ticker: ^HSI

Curiosity: Unlike the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones which were created by financial media companies, the Hang Seng was actually created in 1969 as an internal metric for the Hang Seng Bank. The banker who created it, Stanley Kwan, is often referred to as the "Dow Jones of Hong Kong."