MSCI hopes to include Chinese A-shares in its flagship emerging markets index as early as next year, the latest sign of the increasing openness of mainland markets to global investors.
The New York-based index provider has launched a consultation on the inclusion of A-shares – which are listed in mainland China and denominated in renminbi – in its flagship emerging markets index from May 2015. Such a move would come much earlier than many analysts had been expecting.
The proposed addition of mainland-listed equities to the index, which is tracked by international funds worth about $1.5tn, follows moves by Chinese authorities to increase overseas participation in its markets.