MSCI seeks feedback on adding Chinese shares to index

NEW YORK/HONG KONG: Global index provider MSCI Inc was seeking feedback from market participants on whether to add Chinese shares to a widely tracked index, a move which could trigger billions of US dollars in capital inflows into mainland stocks and ease pressure on its yuan currency.

MSCI did not add Chinese shares to its Emerging Markets Index for a third year running, last year, citing concerns on share suspension rules and monthly limits on repatriating capital.

The emerging index is tracked by US$1.6 trillion (RM7 trillion) in global assets.

In a presentation posted on its website, MSCI highlighted the concerns raised last year, the steps China had taken to address those questions and key discussion points posed to investors.

China has removed quota limits on its landmark stock connect programmes between Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai, and cut the number of shares that were suspended to levels seen before a market crash in mid-2015.

Hong Kong and China shares pulled off lows on expectations that the new proposals, which would include large-cap stocks but exclude dual-listed shares among others, would be more acceptable to global investors.

If the proposed new rules are applied, the number of Chinese stocks that would have to be included would drop by two-thirds to 169 stocks, leading to a sharp drop in market turnover, a crucial source of costs for passive funds.

MSCI would also take a decision on whether to reclassify the Argentina index as an emerging markets index. Reuters