Chinese stocks have been on fire for the past three years. The bull market has lifted the leading Shanghai Composite index by 270% since hitting a bottom in November 2014, and it’s not done yet. Unfortunately, few Western investors are taking advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity. It could be because many have misconceptions about investing in China stocks and aren’t sure how to go about it. Whatever the reason may be, this article will help you understand why China stocks are on the rise and why now is the ideal time to invest in them.
What’s Driving China’s, Stock Market?
The Chinese government is actively trying to diversify the country’s economy away from manufacturing, which has been its bread and butter for decades. They’re also trying to shift towards more sustainable industries such as services and technology. These economic shifts have created a massive demand for capital, which has spurred the growth of domestic financial markets. As a result, China stocks have seen huge inflows of domestic money. The Chinese government has also made an effort to increase liquidity in the country’s financial markets. They’ve taken steps to prop up the country’s currency, the yuan, which has been falling steadily in value since mid-2016. This increase in liquidity has pushed up equity valuations across the board, lifting Chinese stocks along the way.
How to Invest in China Stocks
China stocks trade on their exchanges and use their currency, the yuan. Investors in the U.S. can’t buy shares in Chinese companies directly they have to trade on U.S. exchanges. Fortunately, there are a few ways for investors to gain exposure to Chinese stocks. One option is to buy exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track Chinese stocks. Another is to buy funds that invest in Chinese companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges.
Easy Ways for Western Investors to Access China Stocks
If you’re interested in investing in Chinese stocks, there are a few ways you can do it. You can buy shares in companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges but derive a significant portion of their earnings from China. Another option is to invest in funds that track Chinese stocks, such as a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF). The easiest way to get access to Chinese stocks is to invest in companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges but derive a significant portion of their earnings from China. This will give you exposure to the Chinese economy without having to navigate the complex world of investing in Chinese stocks directly. You can use a stock screener to find companies that meet this criterion.
How to invest in China directly?
To invest in China directly, an investor can buy stocks listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The Shanghai Stock Exchange has a large proportion of blue-chip stocks that are of higher quality and better governed. The Shanghai Stock Exchange also has a lower trading fee than the Hong Kong Exchange.
In addition, there is also a way for investors to invest in Chinese stocks through a fund listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. An investor can buy shares of a Chinese stock fund listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. These funds invest in stocks listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange by diversifying across a large number of stocks. Thus, an investor can gain exposure to the Chinese stock market by buying just one fund that invests in a large number of stocks listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. However, investors should be careful when selecting a Chinese stock fund as many funds are not actively managed.
Reasons to be Bullish on China Stocks
China’s economy grew an impressive 6.5% in 2018, the fastest rate of growth in nearly a decade. This growth is driven by rising domestic demand for goods and services. The Chinese middle class is expected to grow to more than 1 billion people by 2030 almost doubling in size. This expanding middle class will drive domestic demand for goods and services, spurring economic growth. China’s growth is also supported by a shift towards more sustainable industries. The Chinese government is pushing its citizens to move away from manufacturing and towards more service-oriented fields such as healthcare, tourism, and financial services. This shift will create new industries that will drive economic growth in the years to come.
Reasons to be Cautious
The Chinese economy is heavily dependent on manufacturing. This is a cyclical industry that is prone to sharp economic downturns when there’s a reduction in demand for goods. Investors who are bullish on China stocks should be prepared for a period of economic contraction in the future. China is also infamous for its poor track record when it comes to protecting investor rights. Chinese companies are notorious for poor corporate governance practices, and many Chinese CEOs have a long history of fraudulent behavior. This creates an extra level of risk when investing in Chinese stocks.
Bottom line
Overall, China’s economy is in solid shape and the country’s stock market is one of the best places in the world to find long-term investment opportunities right now. China is diversifying away from its dependence on manufacturing and towards more sustainable industries such as services and technology. This shift will create new sources of economic growth in the years to come.