Index compiler MSCI tilts towards Chinese tech stocks in latest revamp


Global index provider MSCI revised its China gauge on Wednesday, swapping property and conglomerates for semiconductor and artificial intelligence stocks in a sign of technology’s rising role in the economy.

The MSCI China Index added tech stocks including SenseTime, Pony.ai and Hesai Technology for a second straight quarter of net constituent growth since late 2025, a move analysts said would accelerate capital flows into the country’s technology sector.

Against a macro backdrop of a relatively weaker US dollar and investors seeking greater diversification, Asia’s emerging equity markets, particularly China, have clearly attracted increased attention from offshore institutional investors, according to Shujin Chen, chief economist at CSOP Asset Management.

While passive funds tracking the index have been flowing in since late last year, Chen said “over the past one to two months, we’ve seen active funds from other parts of Asia as well as Europe show growing interest in China, with some capital starting to flow in”.

“Further inclusion of Chinese tech stocks will likely accelerate that trend,” she added.

SenseTime is one of the additions to the MSCI China Index. Photo: Sam Tsang
SenseTime is one of the additions to the MSCI China Index. Photo: Sam Tsang

Chinese tech stocks have gained significantly since early last year following a breakthrough by AI start-up DeepSeek. The momentum has been further reinforced as China stepped up efforts to compete with the US in an AI arms race.

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