Hang Seng Tech Index to expand with AI and robotics themes

Hang Seng Indexes Company has proposed significant changes to the Hang Seng Tech Index to better reflect the evolving technology landscape. The plan includes increasing the number of constituent companies from 30 to 50 and introducing new themes such as artificial intelligence and robotics. The overhaul would also expand sub-themes from 16 to 24, incorporating categories like quantum computing, aerospace, and satellite technology.

Separately, the price gap between dual-listed Chinese companies trading on mainland China (A shares) and Hong Kong (H shares), known as the A-H premium, has reached a near one-year high. The premium for 20 dual-listed companies averaged 23 per cent. This widening is attributed to state-backed support for mainland stocks and renewed enthusiasm for the AI sector in China, whereas Hong Kong stocks have seen more tepid performance due to limited exposure to the AI supply chain.