The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX or SEHK) is ranked as the 6th largest stock exchange in the world, with a market capitalization of roughly US$3 trillion. Commonly referred to as the Hang Seng Index, the HKEX is Asia’s 2nd largest stock exchange (behind the Tokyo Stock Exchange), although it should be noted that the value of initial 2006 public offerings on the HKEX were actually the 2nd highest in the world (behind only London’s). As of 2006, the HKEX had an average daily turnover of US$33.4 billion, and, as of 2007, the ten largest stocks by market capitalization traded on the HKEX were mostly companies in the financial services and/or construction sectors:

1. the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China ($1,720.49),
2. PetroChina ($1,713.23),
3. HSBC Holdings ($1,654.82),
4. China Mobile ($1,411.83),
5. Bank of China ($1,175.62),
6. China Life Insurance ($1,114.84),
7. China Construction Bank ($1,074.01),
8. Sinopec Corp ($769.91),
9. Manulife Financial ($404.27), and
10. the Bank of Communications ($392.54).