The Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) is the largest stock exchange in China. The exchange is a non-profit organization with a market capitalization of nearly $2.38 trillion making it the fifth largest exchange in the world.
History
The Shanghai Stock Exchange began trading in 1866. In 1891 foreign businessman founded the "Shanghai Share brokers' Association, which was China's first stock exchange. The exchange went through a number of changes as China removed the Qing Dynasty in 1911 and the two World Wars. Through all this the exchange was able to thrive and the current Shanghai Stock Exchange we know today, began its trading operations in 1990.
Present
Currently there two main classes traded on the exchange. Class A shares are quoted in yaun and are only available to foreign investors through a qualified program known as QFII. Class B shares are quoted in US Dollars and are generally open to foreign investments. The exchange is open Monday through Friday and is divided into two sessions (not including pre-market). The first session is session is between 9:30 and 11:30. The second session is in the afternoon an goes from 13:00 to 15:00.
SSE largest stocks1. PetroChina (3,656.20 billion)
2. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (1,417.93 billion)
3. Sinopec (961.42 billion)
4. Bank of China (894.42 billion)
5. China Shenhua Energy Company (824.22 billion)
6. China Life (667.39 billion)
7. China Merchants Bank (352.74 billion)
8. Ping An Insurance (272.53 billion)
9. Bank of Communications (269.41 billion)
10. China Pacific Insurance (256.64 billion)
The Shangai Stock Exchange has experienced a massive bull market in recent years as the US Markets have been trending sideways. Time will tell if this trend will hold, or if the dollar will be able to rebound.
Al Hill is the co-founder of mysmp.com (My Stock Market Power) which provides education on all topics finance; including stocks, bonds, options, futures, forex, technical analysis, and more! Please visit http://www.mysmp.com for more free financial educational content.
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