China has announced plans to establish a new stock exchange in Beijing that will be aimed at small and medium-sized firms. Mainland China already has two exchanges, says Laura He on CNN. The Shanghai Stock Exchange, founded in 1990, “hosts mostly large-cap companies, including state-owned enterprises, banks and energy firms”. Another exchange, in the southern city of Shenzhen, is more tilted towards tech companies. There is also an exchange in Hong Kong, but it is governed by a separate regulatory system.
Many Chinese firms, such as Alibaba, have previously opted to list in the US. But they now face pressure from both China, which would prefer domestic companies list at home, and US regulators, who are tightening disclosure rules to protect investors.
The new trading venue may be intended to signal that the recent crackdown on tech and education firms isn’t aimed at all entrepreneurs, says Jacky Wong in The Wall Street Journal. But a new market is unlikely to “move the needle much”. Smaller firms already have options to access domestic funding through Shenzhen’s ChiNext subsidiary and Shanghai’s Star Market, which was launched in 2019 to rival America’s Nasdaq. “What is really needed is a stronger commitment to corporate transparency” and rules that make it easier for firms to list in the markets that China already has.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
-
The fastest and slowest places to sell a home – where does your area rank?Average time on the property market before selling a home can vary from 19 days to 62 days, depending on location.
-
Who won the £1 million jackpot in the May Premium Bonds prize draw?NS&I has announced the winners of May’s Premium Bonds prize draw. Who won the £1 million jackpot and how can you find out if you scooped a prize this month?
-
Fat profits: should you invest in weight-loss drugs?The latest weight-loss treatments could transform public health and the world economy. Should you invest?
-
How investors could profit from Ramsden Holdings' four-part growth strategyRamsdens Holdings offers a diversified set of financial and retail services and a juicy yield, says Dr Michael Tubbs
-
How to invest in the booming insurance marketThe insurance sector is experiencing rapid growth after years of stagnation. Smart investors should buy in now, says Rupert Hargreaves
-
Out of America's shadow: Why Trump's tariff chaos may be good for non-US stocksOpinion Upending global investment and trade could benefit other countries at the expense of the US market, says Cris Sholto Heaton
-
BP's 'long, painful decline' – and why next year could be even tougherOpinion Long-suffering shareholders in oil giant BP have been pushing for change. It won’t come soon enough, says Matthew Lynn
-
Investment trusts tap the profits in exotic and obscure global marketsOpinion Peter Walls, manager of the Unicorn Mastertrust fund, highlights three investment trusts as he shares where he'd put his money
-
Falling revenues and mounting debt spell trouble for Jumia TechnologiesStruggling African e-commerce platform Jumia Technologies looks headed for the exit, says Dr Matthew Partridge.
-
Next reports £1 billion in annual profits for the first time – what's next for the retailer?Clothing retailer Next has become only the fourth member of its sector to surpass £1 billion in annual profits. What does this mean for the company's future?
