List of Asian Stock Exchanges and Major Market Indices

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Asia is home to a vast array of stock exchanges, each with its own unique characteristics and market indices.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange, one of China's two main stock exchanges, is the largest in the country and has a market capitalization of over $6 trillion.

In Japan, the Tokyo Stock Exchange is the largest exchange, accounting for over 90% of the country's total market capitalization.

The Nikkei 225, Japan's main stock market index, is a price-weighted index that tracks the performance of the top 225 companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The Hang Seng Index, which tracks the performance of the top companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, is a market-capitalization-weighted index that includes companies from various sectors.

A fresh viewpoint: Nikkei225 Index

Asian Stock Exchanges by Region

Asian stock exchanges can be found in various regions, each with its own unique characteristics and histories.

China has a long history of stock exchanges, with the Shanghai Stock Exchange being founded in 1990 and having over 2,000 listings as of March 2022. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange, also in China, was founded in 1991 and has over 2,600 listings as of March 2022.

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Japan is home to several stock exchanges, including the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which was founded in 1878 and has over 4,000 listings as of July 31, 2022. The Osaka Exchange, also in Japan, was founded in 1878 and has a smaller number of listings.

Other countries in Asia also have their own stock exchanges, such as Hong Kong, which has the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, both founded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Here is a list of some of the stock exchanges in Asia by region:

In South Korea, the Korea Exchange was founded in 2005 and has over 2,300 listings as of 2020. In Taiwan, the Taiwan Stock Exchange was founded in 1961 and has around 900 listings as of 2020.

These are just a few examples of the many stock exchanges in Asia, each with its own unique characteristics and histories.

For more insights, see: Open Listings

Major Asian Stock Exchanges

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The Tokyo Stock Exchange, or TSE, is one of the largest stock exchanges in the world, hosting over 3,900 companies, including iconic brands like Toyota, Sony, and Nintendo.

As of November 2024, its market capitalization stood at a staggering $6.28 trillion, or 966 trillion Japanese Yen.

Market Indices and Overview

The Asian equity market is home to several major indices that track the performance of various stock exchanges in the region. The NIFTY, for example, has a price level of 24,715.00 and a 1-year return of 22.88%.

One notable index is the Hang Seng Index, which tracks 50 of the biggest companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It was launched in 1969 and reflects the region's economic and market performance.

The Hang Seng Index has a price level of 19,856.91, with a 52-week high of 23,241.74 and a 52-week low of 14,794.16. The index has seen a 1-year return of 22%.

Here's a brief overview of some major Asian indices:

Market Indices Overview

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The Jakarta Composite Index measures the performance of all listed companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, providing a broad view of Indonesia's economy. This index was launched in 1983.

The NIFTY index, on the other hand, is a major index of the Asian equity market, with a price level of 24,715.00 as of the latest data. It has a 52-week high of 25,424.00 and a 52-week low of 21,037.50.

Derivatives based on the Indian NSE's NIFTY index are the most heavily traded derivatives contracts in the world. They can be accessed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX).

The Jakarta Composite Index has a price level of 7,269.63 and a 52-week high of 7,910.56. It has a 52-week low of 6,698.85 and a one-year return of 2.70%.

Here's a list of major indices of the Asian equity market, along with their price levels and 52-week highs and lows:

The Shanghai Composite Index has a price level of 3,395.11 and a 52-week high of 3,674.40. It has a 52-week low of 2,635.09 and a one-year return of 14.36%.

For another approach, see: Draftkings Week 6 Sleepers

Shanghai Composite Index

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The Shanghai Composite Index is a benchmark that tracks all A-shares and B-shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Introduced in 1991, it's a crucial indicator of China's economic performance. The index covers over 2,277 companies, with a market capitalization exceeding $7.28 trillion.

A-shares are stocks of Chinese companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, denominated in Chinese Yuan (CNY), and primarily available for trading by mainland Chinese investors.

B-shares, on the other hand, are stocks of Chinese companies listed on the SSE but are denominated in foreign currencies, usually USD, and available for trading by foreign investors.

The Shanghai Composite Index is a significant component of China's financial ecosystem, with state-owned enterprises playing a major role.

China is the largest financial market in APAC, with a domestic market capitalization of USD 8.4 trillion, making it an attractive destination for investors.

Take a look at this: SSE Composite Index

Country-Specific Markets

Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index, launched in 1983, measures the performance of all listed companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, providing a broad view of Indonesia's economy. This index is a key indicator of the country's economic health.

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In Southeast Asia, several countries have their own stock exchanges, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. The Philippines has two major exchanges, the Philippine Dealing Exchange and the Philippine Stock Exchange, which have a combined total of 329 listings.

Here's a list of some of the major stock exchanges in Southeast Asia:

Japan's financial market is led by the Japan Exchange Group's two major exchanges in Tokyo and Osaka, which together have more than USD 5.7 trillion in domestic market capitalization.

Southeast

Southeast Asia is home to a diverse range of stock exchanges, each with its own unique history and characteristics. The region includes countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, which have been listed on the stock market since the early 20th century.

Indonesia's stock exchange, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), was founded in 1912 and has over 800 listed companies. The Jakarta Futures Exchange (JFX) was established in 1999 and offers futures contracts on various commodities. The Indonesia Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (ICDX) was founded in 2009 and provides trading in commodities and derivatives.

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Malaysia's stock exchange, Bursa Malaysia, was established in 1964 and has over 800 listed companies. The Malaysia Derivatives Exchange was established in 1980 and offers trading in derivatives. The MESDAQ was launched in 1997 and provides a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises to raise capital.

The Philippines has two stock exchanges, the Philippine Dealing Exchange (PDEx) and the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). PDEx was established in 2005 and offers trading in government securities, while the PSE was established in 1927 and has over 300 listed companies.

The region also includes several smaller exchanges, such as the Lao Securities Exchange (LSX), which was founded in 2011 and has only 11 listed companies. The Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) was established in 2011 and has a small but growing number of listed companies.

Here's a list of some of the major stock exchanges in Southeast Asia:

These exchanges offer a range of products and services, including equities, derivatives, and commodities. They also provide a platform for companies to raise capital and for investors to buy and sell securities.

Southern

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Southern Asia is home to a diverse range of countries, each with its own unique stock exchange and market dynamics. The region is characterized by a complex mix of traditional and modern market structures.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange in Bangladesh is one of the smaller exchanges in the region, with only 293 listings as of 2020. In contrast, the Dhaka Stock Exchange has a much larger number of listings, with over 750 companies listed.

Bhutan's Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan is another small exchange in the region, with only 20 listings. The Bombay Stock Exchange in India, on the other hand, is one of the largest and most well-established exchanges in the region, with over 5,300 listings.

The India International Exchange in GIFT City, Ahmedabad, is a relatively new exchange that was established in 2017. The Indian Commodity Exchange in Navi Mumbai is another newer exchange, also established in 2017.

Stock Exchange Board
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The National Stock Exchange of India in Mumbai is one of the largest and most influential exchanges in the region, with over 2,100 listings. The Tehran Stock Exchange in Iran is another major exchange in the region, with over 666 listings as of 2020.

Here is a list of some of the major stock exchanges in Southern Asia:

The Maldives Stock Exchange in Malé is another small exchange in the region, with only 10 listings. The Nepal Stock Exchange in Kathmandu has a larger number of listings, with over 333 companies listed.

Shanghai Exchange

The Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) is one of the largest financial markets in APAC, with USD 8.4 trillion in domestic market capitalization.

It lists 2,277 companies with a market capitalization exceeding $7.28 trillion. The SSE operates two boards: the mainboard and the STAR Market, launched in 2019 as a NASDAQ-style platform for high-tech start-ups.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange is known for its state-owned enterprises, making it a cornerstone of China’s financial ecosystem. It introduced the Shanghai Composite Index in 1991, which tracks all A-shares and B-shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

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A-shares are stocks of Chinese companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange denominated in Chinese Yuan (CNY) and primarily available for trading by mainland Chinese investors. On the other hand, B-shares are stocks of Chinese companies listed on the SSE but are denominated in foreign currencies (usually USD) and available for trading by foreign investors.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange has co-location data centers but its order-matching infrastructure currently does not support ultra-low latency trading, making High-Frequency Trading (HFT) "effectively absent" from the stock market in China.

Accessing APAC Markets

China is the largest financial market in APAC, with USD 8.4 trillion in domestic market capitalization.

The Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges have co-location data centers, but their order-matching infrastructure doesn't support ultra-low latency trading, making High Frequency Trading (HFT) "effectively absent" from the Chinese stock market.

To access the Chinese markets, the simplest entry point is through the Stock Connect relationship with the Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX), which allows foreign investors to gain access to mainland China liquidity.

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HKEX is a mature market that has smoothed the way for foreign investors, becoming a hub for global trading.

Exchanges in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Australia have structured themselves to accommodate global investors through extended trading hours, strategic partnerships, and custom product offerings.

Derivatives and funds based on popular indices can be traded on other APAC exchanges, providing additional sources of regional liquidity.

Taiwanese, Indian, and South Korean exchanges have seen substantial growth in recent years, but entering these markets requires an understanding of their complex market and regulatory structures.

Regional indices like the FTSE ASEAN 40 can give firms access to countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Asian equivalent of the S&P 500?

The Asian equivalent of the S&P 500 is the S&P Asia 50, a stock index tracking top-performing companies in Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. This index provides a snapshot of the region's largest and most liquid stocks.

Which Asian stock market is open now?

To determine which Asian stock market is open now, check the local time for Tokyo (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) or Hong Kong (9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.).

Alan Donnelly

Writer

Alan Donnelly is a seasoned writer with a unique voice and perspective. With a keen interest in finance and economics, Alan has established himself as a go-to expert in the field of derivatives, particularly in the realm of interest rate derivatives. Through his in-depth research and analysis, Alan has crafted engaging articles that break down complex financial concepts into accessible and informative content.

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