Shares of Swire Pacific Limited (HKG:0087) last traded at 16.26, representing a move of 0.37%, or 0.06 per share, on volume of 492,500 shares. After opening the trading day at 16.14, shares of Swire Pacific Limited traded in a close range. Swire Pacific Limited currently has a total float of 8.68 billion shares and on average sees 1.34 million shares exchange hands each day. The stock now has a 52-week low of 12.5 and high of 16.34.

HSI: A Powerful Asian Economy Indicator

The Asian economy is rampantly growing and it is countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and China that are leading the whole Asian equity market. Singapore and Hong Kong, for example, have recently been named by CG Watch as the top two countries in Asia with the best corporate governance in 2016. These countries are home to two of the most influential stock exchanges in the world, the Singapore Exchange (SGX) and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK). Both are subjects of Swire Pacific Limited interest.

The SEHK

With a total market capitalization of HK$24.68 trillion and a listing of nearly 2,000 companies as of 2015, the SEHK is Asia’s third biggest stock exchange and the world’s sixth biggest stock exchange. It was established in 1891 with its benchmark index, the Hang Seng Index (HSI), being first published in 1969.

Since that time all companies, like Swire Pacific Limited want to see their names in SEHK lists. Regular trading on the SEHK starts at 9:30 a.m. and lasts until 4:00 p.m. Meanwhile, pre-market trading lasts for 30 minutes starting at 9:00 a.m.

The HSI measures the top 50 companies on the SEHK, representing more than half of its total market capitalization. Its foundation is the brainchild of Ho Sin Sang, Hang Seng Bank (HSB) Chairman; Lee Quo-wei, HSB Director; and Stanley Kwan, HSB Head of Research. Primarily, they had founded the HSI to serve as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (HSI) of Hong Kong.

The components of the HSI are classified into four sectors since January 1985. These sectors include Utilities, Materials, Financials, and Energy— the biggest sector.

For a company to be eligible as a component of the HSI, it must belong to both the top 90% of the total market capitalization of common shares and total turnover on the SEHK, respectively. It must also be listed on the SEHK at least 24 months prior to the review date. Exceptions apply to companies that exhibit compelling market capitalization and liquidity. The same goes for Swire Pacific Limited company. In such cases, companies can already be eligible as components even if they have just been listed on the SEHK for three months prior to the review date, which happens quarterly.

HSI Performance

The HSI had posted its all-time low of 58.61 in August 1967. In December 1993, it had first attained the 10,000 mark. In December 2006, it had first attained the 20,000 mark.

Before the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 broke out, the HSI had first attained the 30,000 mark in October 2007. As a result, the HSI had posted its all-time high of 31,638.22 during the same month. The massive gains during that time are highly attributed to investors flocking safe-haven equity markets such as that of Hong Kong in anticipation of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008.

A year after attaining its all-time high, the HSI had lost more than 67%, falling back to the 10,000 mark in October 2008. In July 2009, the HSI had slowly recouped, attaining the 20,000 mark once again. It was highly appreciated by Swire Pacific Limited and its investors.

With a rich history backing the success and potentials of the SEHK, it is a guarantee that investors will gain interesting returns from their investments in Hong Kong’s equity market.

Swire Pacific Limited engages in property, aviation, beverages, marine services, and trading and industrial businesses worldwide. The company has market cap of $141.09 billion. The Company’s Property division develops, owns, and operates mixed-use properties. It has a 5.16 P/E ratio. This division's property investment portfolio comprises office and retail premises, serviced apartments, other luxury residential accommodations, and commercial mixed-use developments; and trading portfolio consists of residential projects and towers under development, and an office property, as well as land banks.