China A-Shares: Sector in Brief

IN THIS PAPER

What's new?Foreign investors have been increasing their holdings in mainland China equity markets. Recent changes to QFII and RQFII programmes have improved harmonisation. New managers continue to enter the market: there is now a credible group of 60+ A-shares strategies alongside nearly 80 “Greater China” strategies.

Investment questions.Do I need a QFII licence? Should I invest actively or passively, and through a fund or a segregated mandate? What are the pros of local strategies versus Hong Kong-based managers investing through the Stock Connect? Which index should I use for benchmarking performance?

Manager selection.While most managers have a fundamental, bottom-up approach, we have seen a lot of quantitative strategies coming to market in recent years. What are the attributes of more successful teams?

WHY DOWNLOAD?

The A-shares market, which has broadly struggled over the past decade, slid hard and fast in 2018. In August the country lost its status as world’s second largest equity market to Japan, and then continued to lose a further >$1 trillion in value by mid- December. New tariffs are not the only contributor to the malaise, with worsening global economic data and the government’s austerity-oriented policies also contributing to weak investor sentiment.

Amid the apparent carnage, active managers have delivered stronger results. Commentators are now deeply divided on the outlook for 2019, with some in “get out of here” mode while others emphasise the attractive valuations (aka low prices) on offer. The time seems right to take a closer look at A-shares, the investment opportunities available and the challenges involved. This short note, part of our educational “Sector in Brief” series, draws on available market data and recent bfinance experience analysing managers in this market for our investor clients.