Shanghai Stock Exchange

About the Shanghai Stock Exchange

With a massive market capitalization of US $2.7 trillion, and having over 900 listings as of early 2011, the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) is the fifth largest stock exchange worldwide, and the third largest in Asia (behind the Tokyo Exchange and the Hong Kong Exchange). Originally founded in 1891, the Shanghai Stock Exchange operated semi-regularly until the Communist revolution of 1949, after which it was closed to the public until its reestablishment in the year 1990. The Shanghai Stock Exchange is managed directly by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) as a non-profit organization.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange deals in a number of securities, dividing them into 3 main categories: stocks, bonds and funds. Treasury and corporate bonds (both convertible and non convertible) are traded openly in the SSE, with the treasury bonds (T-bonds) being the most active of its kind in China. Despite its openness with bonds, the mainland China authorities restrict foreign trade amongst shares, which are divided into two categories- “A” and “B”. Originally, only domestic investors were allowed to invest in A shares, while both domestic and foreign investors could trade in B shares. Since 2001, however, the SSE has become more open to foreign investors and now a plan to merge the two types of shares has begun to form.

Shanghai Stock Exchange Hours

Morning, pre market hours for the Shanghai exchange are between 9:15-9:25 region time and consecutive bidding starts at 9:30 and carries on until 11:30. The afternoon session proceeds from 13:00-15:00.

Shanghai Stock Exchange Holidays

The Shanghai Stock Exchange observes several holidays annually; for 2011, the holidays observed and their dates are below:

New Year’s Day-January 3rd
Chinese New Year-February 2nd-8th
Qingming Festival- April 4th-5th
Labor Day- May 2nd
Duanwu Festvial (Dragon Boat Festival)- June 6th
Mid-Autumn Festival- September 12th
National Day- October 3rd-7th