Photo: KnowInsiders
Photo: KnowInsiders

What is Shanghai Stock Exchange?

The Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) is the largest stock exchange in mainland China. It is a nonprofit organization run by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). Stocks, funds, bonds, and derivatives are all traded on the exchange.

How the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) Works

On the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), there are two main classes of stock for every listed company traded on the exchange—A-shares and B-shares.

B-shares are quoted in U.S. dollars and are generally open to foreign investment. A-shares are quoted in yuan and are only available to foreign investment through a qualified program known as QFII.

Chinese equities are also traded on the Hong Kong Exchange, which has been trading H-shares in Chinese companies for many years. These equities are also open to foreign investment and are denominated in Hong Kong dollars (HKD).

Most of the total market cap of the SSE is made up of formerly state-run companies like major commercial banks and insurance companies. Many of these companies have only been trading on the exchange since 2001. The SSE ranks fourth in the world in terms of total market cap for equity exchanges, behind only the NYSE, Nasdaq, and Tokyo Stock Exchange.

2022 Shanghai Stock Exchange Market Holidays (11)

Holiday Date Status
Spring Festival Monday, January 31, 2022

Closed

2 months from now

Chinese New Year Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Closed

2 months from now

Chinese New Year Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Closed

2 months from now

Chinese New Year Thursday, February 3, 2022

Closed

2 months from now

Chinese New Year Friday, February 4, 2022

Closed

2 months from now

Market Holiday Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Closed

4 months from now

Dragon Boat Festival Friday, June 3, 2022

Closed

6 months from now

National Day Saturday, October 1, 2022

Closed

10 months from now

National Day Sunday, October 2, 2022

Closed

10 months from now

National Day Monday, October 3, 2022

Closed

10 months from now

National Day Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Closed

10 months from now

How to invest in Shanghai Stock Exchange

Because of the restrictions on trading by foreign investors, most investors in the Shanghai Stock Exchange do so by buying and selling exchange-traded funds and American Depositary Receipts. The Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index is made up of all the stocks traded on the exchange and is often used an indicator of the Chinese market’s performance.

Many investment companies offer China funds that invest in stocks traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, among other Chinese exchanges, and sometimes the Hong Kong and Taiwan exchanges. This can be a more convenient way to invest in Chinese companies. Such China funds may focus on small-cap stocks, income-producing securities and other specialties.

Trading Hours of SSE Market

Security Type Opening Call

Auction

Continuous

Auction

Closing Call

Auction

Block Trading After-Hours

Fixed-Price Trading

Stocks Main Board 9:15-9:25 9:30-11:30;

13:00-14:57

14:57-15:00 15:00-15:30 -
SSE STAR Market 9:15-9:25 9:30-11:30;

13:00-14:57

14:57-15:00 9:30-11:30;

13:00-15:30

15:05-15:30
Bonds 9:15-9:25 9:30-11:30;

13:00-14:57

- 15:00-15:30 -
Bonds Bilateral Repos 9:15-9:25 9:30-11:30;

13:00-14:57

- 15:00-15:30 -
Bonds Outright Repos 9:15-9:25 9:30-11:30;

13:00-14:57

- 15:00-15:30 -
Funds 9:15-9:25 9:30-11:30;

13:00-14:57

- 15:00-15:30 -
ETF Options 9:15-9:25 9:30-11:30;

13:00-14:57

14:57-15:00

Breaking Down the SSE Trading Schedule

When is the Shanghai Stock Exchange open for trading?

The Shanghai Stock Exchange is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm China Standard Time (GMT+08:00).

Does the Shanghai Stock Exchange close for Lunch?

Yes, the Shanghai Stock Exchange does close for lunch.

Many markets in Asia and a few markets in the Middle East close for lunch. Markets in most of the rest of the world do not close for lunch. Our market countdown and the TradingHours.com API both take lunch breaks into account.

There is typically less liquidity during the middle of the day. Most trading happens near the beginning and end of the day. Having a shorter trading window can help to make markets more efficient by increasing liquidity and reducing spreads.

Is the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Saturday or Sunday?

No, the Shanghai Stock Exchange is not open on weekends.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange is open for trading Monday-Friday. Stock Exchanges in America, Europe, and Asia follow the typical Monday to Friday schedule. However, in the Middle East the work week typically runs from Sunday through Thursday.

How long is the Shanghai Stock Exchange open for?

The Shanghai Stock Exchange is open for a total of 4 hours per day. Most markets are open 5 to 7 hours per day. Smaller markets tend to be open for short periods.

A shorter trading session compresses all trading activity into a smaller time period which leads to increased liquidity, smaller spreads, and more efficient markets. Shorter trading sessions can also lead to less volatility. Material news during trading hours can result in price volatility. With a smaller trading period, more news will happen outside regular trading hours which gives investors more time to digest information and can prevent rushed trading decisions.

Does the Shanghai Stock Exchange have After-Hours Trading?

Yes, the Shanghai Stock Exchange does have extended hours of trading. The Pre-Trading Session is from 9:15 am to 9:25 am. The Post-Trading Session is from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

Shares can always be traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange during regular trading hours (listed above).

Extended Trading Hours are sessions before and after the official trading session during which trading can be conducted electronically. Pre-market trading and after-hours trading generally have less volume than during the regular trading hours and may have different trading rules.

There is limited liquidity during extended hours which can cause increased volatility, larger spreads and greater price uncertainty. Earnings reports and other significant news are typically announced after regular trading hours end. This can lead to major price swings in after-hours markets.

Shanghai Stock Exchange Largest Companies

The largest companies on the Shanghai exchange include a number of banks and insurance companies and some of the world’s biggest companies. Ranked by market capitalization, they are:

1. Kweichow Moutai, world’s largest beverage company, maker of China’s top liquor brand

2. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the world’s largest bank

3. Agricultural Bank of China, a formerly state-run bank

4. China Life, China’s biggest state-owned life insurer

5. Ping An Insurance, provides insurance, fintech and health technology

What Holidays is Japan Stock Market Closed in 2022? What Holidays is Japan Stock Market Closed in 2022?

The Japan Stock Market is closed nineteen days in 2022. Check out this article for more details!

What is The Favela Stock Exchange in Brazil? What is The Favela Stock Exchange in Brazil?

Brazilian favelas (or slums) have created their own stock market, which community leaders see as a mechanism to boost local firms and attract investment from ...

What Holidays is the South Africa Stock Market Closed in 2022? What Holidays is the South Africa Stock Market Closed in 2022?

For South Africa Stock Market investors, knowing What Holidays the South Africa Stock Market is Closed in 2022 is of great significance for better preparation.