The Chinese index puzzle

Investing in China is tricky enough without having to offer coherent data on performance. Fund managers, under increasing pressure to outperform benchmarks, are struggling with the fact that index providers offer a mystifying range of products covering Chinese stocks.

China indices

Source: Bloomberg

FABRICE JACOB, MANAGING director of Hong Kong asset manager MYM Capital, scratches his head as he spreads sheets of paper across his desk, each with a table purporting to represent a China equity index. MYM is launching a new China fund and he has to choose a benchmark index.

“As a fund manager,” Jacob says, “your goal is to outperform your benchmark index. If you outperform by 1%, you might get a bonus; by 2%, you’re a genius, that’s the way it works.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access