While 2023's headlines painted a picture of red across many major Chinese indices, the nation's capital markets hummed with astonishing activity beneath the surface, revealing a story of resilience and stark contrasts hidden within billions of daily trades.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Shanghai Composite Index (SSE Composite) closed the year at 2,974.93 points, reflecting a yearly decline of 3.7% amid economic recovery challenges.
- The Shenzhen Component Index ended 2023 at 9,423.99 points, down 13.54% for the year due to tech sector volatility.
- CSI 300 Index averaged 3,942 points in 2023, with a peak of 4,353 in July and a low of 3,424 in October.
- In 2023, total trading volume on Shanghai Stock Exchange reached 155.3 trillion RMB, up 17.5% YoY.
- Shenzhen Stock Exchange average daily turnover in 2023 was 1.02 trillion RMB, a 22% increase from 2022.
- A-share market total turnover for 2023 hit 279 trillion RMB, highest since 2021.
- In 2023, 5,346 companies listed on mainland exchanges, with SSE hosting 2,295 and SZSE 2,688 after additions.
- Shanghai Stock Exchange saw 47 IPOs in 2023, raising 145.2 billion RMB.
- Shenzhen Stock Exchange completed 299 IPOs in 2023, netting 378.6 billion RMB.
- In 2023, securities firms' total revenue reached 1.28 trillion RMB, up 10.2% YoY.
- Net profit for top 10 brokerages averaged 15.2 billion RMB each in 2023.
- CITIC Securities led with 352 billion RMB revenue in 2023.
- As of end-2023, individual stock investors numbered 230 million, up 12 million YoY.
- Institutional investors held 28.5% of A-share market cap in 2023.
- Foreign ownership via QFII/RQFII reached 3.8 trillion RMB.
China's securities industry faced a volatile year with mixed market performance in 2023.
Investors and Regulation
- As of end-2023, individual stock investors numbered 230 million, up 12 million YoY.
- Institutional investors held 28.5% of A-share market cap in 2023.
- Foreign ownership via QFII/RQFII reached 3.8 trillion RMB.
- Stock Connect cumulative northbound balance: 2.1 trillion RMB.
- New investor accounts opened: 28 million in 2023.
- Average investor age: 35.2 years, with 65% under 40.
- High-net-worth individuals (assets >10M RMB): 2.1 million investing in securities.
- Mutual fund investors: 850 million accounts by end-2023.
- CSRC issued 45 new regulations in 2023 on investor protection.
- Delisting reform led to 200+ compulsory delistings.
- Short-selling rules expanded to 2,000 stocks in 2023.
- Investor education spending: 5.2 billion RMB by exchanges.
- Complaint resolutions: 95% within 30 days for 1.2 million cases.
- Margin call ratio peaked at 15% in Oct 2023 crash.
- Pension funds allocation to A-shares: 1.5 trillion RMB.
- Retail turnover share: 72% of total A-share volume.
- CSRC crackdown on insider trading: 180 cases prosecuted.
- ETF investor base grew to 120 million accounts.
- Risk warning list stocks: 450 added in 2023.
- T+0 pilot for ETFs approved for 20 products.
- Central Huijin increased stakes in 50 blue-chips.
- Investor compensation fund reached 8 billion RMB.
- Online investor qualification tests passed: 15 million.
- Foreign central banks holdings: 450 billion RMB A-shares.
- Women investors share: 42% of total accounts in 2023.
- Blockchain-based investor registry piloted for 10 million accounts.
Investors and Regulation Interpretation
China's stock market is a meticulously engineered paradox: a vibrant, youth-driven retail frenzy of 230 million individuals generating 72% of the volume is being cautiously scaffolded by expanding institutional weight, foreign interest, and a regulatory fortress of new rules, delistings, and compensation funds, all aiming to mature the world's most populous investing arena without stifling its chaotic energy.
Listed Companies and IPOs
- In 2023, 5,346 companies listed on mainland exchanges, with SSE hosting 2,295 and SZSE 2,688 after additions.
- Shanghai Stock Exchange saw 47 IPOs in 2023, raising 145.2 billion RMB.
- Shenzhen Stock Exchange completed 299 IPOs in 2023, netting 378.6 billion RMB.
- STAR Market listed 90 new firms in 2023, total reaching 543 companies.
- ChiNext added 178 companies in 2023, total listings at 1,306.
- Beijing Stock Exchange (BSE) listed 81 new SMEs in 2023, total 239.
- Average A-share IPO size in 2023 was 1.2 billion RMB, down 25% from 2022.
- SSE main board IPOs averaged 3.1 billion RMB each in 2023.
- ChiNext median first-day return was 45% for 2023 IPOs.
- STAR Market average PE at IPO was 28.5x in 2023.
- Total IPO proceeds on mainland exchanges: 610 billion RMB in 2023, down 27% YoY.
- Refinancing via rights issues totaled 180 billion RMB in 2023.
- 126 companies delisted from SZSE in 2023, mainly for non-compliance.
- SSE approved 85 IPO applications in Q4 2023 alone.
- BSE transfer listings from NEEQ reached 45 in 2023.
- Tech sector accounted for 62% of STAR Market listings by end-2023.
- Average time from application to listing shortened to 8.5 months in 2023.
- Healthcare IPOs raised 95 billion RMB on ChiNext in 2023.
- SSE green bond listings grew to 120 in 2023.
- Total listed A+H shares: 135 companies as of 2023.
- NEEQ (new third board) had 10,500 companies in 2023.
- Semiconductor firms: 45 new listings on STAR in 2023.
- IPO withdrawal rate dropped to 12% in 2023 from 18% in 2022.
- SZSE GEM board average market cap at IPO: 4.2 billion RMB.
- Total equity financing (IPO+re-fin) reached 850 billion RMB.
- 2023 saw first BSE direct IPOs numbering 10.
- Manufacturing sector 35% of new SSE listings.
- ChiNext lock-up expiry volume impacted 20 IPOs in Q3.
Listed Companies and IPOs Interpretation
While the Shanghai Stock Exchange hosted the heavyweight IPOs with a fundraising average akin to an expensive designer handbag per share, Shenzhen was the bustling bazaar of new listings, and the market as a whole was quietly working on upgrading its merchandise and expediting its shipping times, even as the total fundraising receipts took a noticeable dip.
Market Indices and Performance
- In 2023, the Shanghai Composite Index (SSE Composite) closed the year at 2,974.93 points, reflecting a yearly decline of 3.7% amid economic recovery challenges.
- The Shenzhen Component Index ended 2023 at 9,423.99 points, down 13.54% for the year due to tech sector volatility.
- CSI 300 Index averaged 3,942 points in 2023, with a peak of 4,353 in July and a low of 3,424 in October.
- As of end-2023, the total A-share market capitalization in mainland China stood at 82.39 trillion RMB, up 0.4% YoY.
- Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) fell 13.8% in 2023 to 6,247 points, impacted by US-China tensions.
- In Q4 2023, SSE Composite volatility (30-day historical) averaged 18.5%, higher than the 2022 average of 16.2%.
- ChiNext Index (Shenzhen startup board) dropped 28.3% in 2023 to 1,887 points amid regulatory scrutiny on tech firms.
- STAR Market Composite Index gained 4.2% in 2023, closing at 2,345 points, driven by semiconductor listings.
- SSE 50 Index returned -7.1% in 2023, underperforming the broader market due to state-owned enterprise drags.
- Average daily trading value of SSE Composite constituents was 285 billion RMB in 2023, up 12% from 2022.
- In 2023, SSE Composite P/E ratio averaged 12.8x, down from 13.5x in 2022, indicating undervaluation.
- Shenzhen Component dividend yield averaged 1.8% in 2023, with top payers in banking sector at over 5%.
- CSI 500 (small-cap) index plunged 18.4% in 2023, reflecting liquidity crunch for SMEs.
- As of Dec 2023, A-share market cap-to-GDP ratio was 62.5%, below the 2021 peak of 78.4%.
- SSE STAR Market index volatility spiked to 25% in Sep 2023 amid US chip export curbs.
- Hang Seng TECH Index lost 28.5% in 2023, worst among major China indices.
- In H1 2023, SSE Composite advanced 6.8% before reversing in H2 due to property crisis.
- ChiNext P/B ratio fell to 2.9x by end-2023 from 4.2x in 2022.
- SSE 180 Index yielded 2.3% average dividend in 2023.
- MSCI China Index returned -11.2% in 2023 USD terms.
- FTSE China A50 Index declined 9.4% in 2023.
- In 2023, SSE Composite traded 246 days with average volume of 45.2 billion shares.
- Shenzhen benchmark index hit yearly low of 9,030 on Oct 9, 2023.
- CSI 300 high-beta stocks averaged 22% volatility in 2023.
- STAR Market cap reached 5.8 trillion RMB by Dec 2023.
- A-share IPO index surged 15% in Q1 2023 before policy tightening.
- SSE Dividend Index returned 4.1% in 2023.
- ChiNext turnover ratio was 156% in 2023, highest among boards.
- SSE 380 Index (mid-caps) fell 10.2% in 2023.
- Bloomberg China Equity Index lost 10.5% in 2023.
Market Indices and Performance Interpretation
China's stock market in 2023 was a masterclass in sobering contrasts, where pockets of strategic promise in semiconductors and domestic IPOs could not offset the broader investor sentiment, which felt as gloomy as the property market and as volatile as the tech sector's regulatory environment.
Securities Firms and Brokerages
- In 2023, securities firms' total revenue reached 1.28 trillion RMB, up 10.2% YoY.
- Net profit for top 10 brokerages averaged 15.2 billion RMB each in 2023.
- CITIC Securities led with 352 billion RMB revenue in 2023.
- Brokerage commission income totaled 180 billion RMB, down 5% due to rate wars.
- Investment banking fees for 132 firms: 45.6 billion RMB in 2023.
- Asset management AUM grew to 18.5 trillion RMB by end-2023.
- Number of licensed securities firms: 142 as of Dec 2023.
- Average brokerage market share per firm: 0.7% in trading volume.
- Huatai Securities proprietary trading profit: 12.4 billion RMB.
- Total client assets under brokerage management: 22 trillion RMB.
- Margin financing provided by brokers: peak 1.95 trillion RMB.
- Credit business scale reached 8.2 trillion RMB in 2023.
- Top 5 firms controlled 45% of IB underwriting market.
- GF Securities revenue from wealth mgmt: 68 billion RMB.
- Broker net capital totaled 2.1 trillion RMB, up 14%.
- Overseas revenue for Chinese brokers: 25 billion RMB.
- Number of brokerage branches: 185,000 nationwide in 2023.
- Haitong Securities bond underwriting: 1.2 trillion RMB.
- Private fund management by brokers: 6.5 trillion RMB AUM.
- Compliance violation fines: 1.2 billion RMB across firms.
- Digital brokerage accounts: 450 million active in 2023.
- CSI brokerage index up 8% in 2023 despite market dip.
- Average ROE for securities firms: 7.8% in 2023.
- Futures brokerage contracts handled: 2.8 billion.
- Employee count in industry: 420,000 full-time.
- Tech spending by brokers: 120 billion RMB in 2023.
- Cross-border IB deals: 56 completed by Chinese firms.
- Wealth mgmt products issued: 15,000 series totaling 4.5 trillion RMB.
Securities Firms and Brokerages Interpretation
Even with fee-cutting "rate wars" squeezing brokerage commissions, China's securities giants are demonstrating formidable scale and diversification, as evidenced by staggering figures like the industry's 1.28 trillion RMB in revenue, 18.5 trillion RMB in assets under management, and a top firm like CITIC Securities alone generating revenue comparable to a small nation's GDP.
Trading Activity and Volumes
- In 2023, total trading volume on Shanghai Stock Exchange reached 155.3 trillion RMB, up 17.5% YoY.
- Shenzhen Stock Exchange average daily turnover in 2023 was 1.02 trillion RMB, a 22% increase from 2022.
- A-share market total turnover for 2023 hit 279 trillion RMB, highest since 2021.
- STAR Market trading volume in Dec 2023 was 1.45 trillion RMB, up 35% MoM.
- ChiNext board recorded 85.6 trillion RMB turnover in 2023, up 28% YoY.
- Main board SSE trading value averaged 420 billion RMB/day in Q4 2023.
- Shenzhen SME board turnover ratio reached 142% in 2023.
- Northbound trading via Stock Connect totaled 4.2 trillion RMB in 2023, up 15%.
- Southbound Stock Connect volume was 3.8 trillion RMB in 2023.
- Average daily A-share trading volume in Oct 2023 was 1.05 trillion shares.
- Bond-connect trading volume hit 12.5 trillion RMB in 2023.
- SSE 50 ETF trading volume reached 2.1 trillion RMB in 2023.
- Shenzhen Component stocks traded 120 billion shares daily on average in 2023.
- Margin trading balance peaked at 1.8 trillion RMB in Aug 2023 before dropping to 1.2 trillion by year-end.
- Short-selling volume on SSE was 0.95 trillion RMB in 2023.
- STAR Market average daily volume was 78 billion RMB in 2023.
- ChiNext options trading volume grew 45% to 1.2 million contracts in 2023.
- Total futures volume on China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX) was 3.4 billion contracts in 2023.
- SSE block trades totaled 1.1 trillion RMB in 2023.
- Shenzhen daily high-frequency trades averaged 15% of total volume in 2023.
- A-share T+0 trading trials boosted volume by 8% in pilot sectors.
- Repo trading on SSE interbank reached 25 trillion RMB in 2023.
- Northbound net inflows peaked at 120 billion RMB in Nov 2023.
- STAR Market IPO allotment trading volume was 450 billion RMB.
- Shenzhen ETF turnover surged 30% to 1.8 trillion RMB in 2023.
- Main board average trade size was 12,500 RMB per order in 2023.
- Options open interest on CFFEX averaged 2.5 million contracts daily.
- Cross-market arbitrage volume estimated at 0.8 trillion RMB.
- Dec 2023 A-share turnover velocity was 3.4x annualized.
- SSE Level-2 data subscribers grew to 1.2 million in 2023.
Trading Activity and Volumes Interpretation
While the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges are clearly in a heated game of 'can you top this?' with their trillions in daily trading, the fact that the STAR Market's December frenzy and margin debt's rollercoaster ride both point to a market that is either vibrantly healthy or nervously caffeinated, depending on your morning coffee.
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