SINGAPORE :

A new benchmark has been launched for investors to track 25 China stocks listed in S?pore. Prime Partners China Index covers 25 Chinese-owned & managed companies, with a total mkt capitalization of over S$13.8 bil.

It is the brainchild of financial services firm Prime Partners Corporate Finance. The new index will help investers better monitor the performance of a diversified portfolio of SGX-listed China stocks, which are fast becoming d alternate investment option to S?pore blue chips. China stocks, which are fast becoming d alternate investment option to S?pore blue chips.

"In the last four years, SGX has seen 105 companies listed. They now represent 15% or one in seven shares traded and it's time to have something that focuses on this niche market," says Quek Peck Lim, chairman of Prime Partners Corporate Finance.

It is value-weighted and covers most sectors in manufacturing and services. The index will be available to brokers and subscribers of the SGX price feed beginning October 2.

It uses the same methodology as the ST Index, UOB SESDAQ Index as well as the S&P 500. It?ll initially be calculated on a close to real time basis, with a 10 minute delay on the SGX price feed. The index is disseminated through Reuters & will also be available on Bloomberg.

It China Index is designed to be a benchmark for issue mgrs and fund mgrs to track the growth of fast growing Chinese companies.

With this stock index, there?ll be opportunities for stocks to feature in warrants, exchange-traded funds and futures contracts. "large market capitalization among the top in terms of trading volume with sufficient free float and represent a spread of industries,"

One exclusion from the index - China Aviation Oil. "CAO had some problems it had to resolve, when it was suspended. Though it?s a huge mkt cap, it would be considered, we felt we should not put it in at this moment be co?s of its sporadic trading record over the last 12 - 15 mths," says Quek.

Point to notes: It sure help to me to better manage my China Portfolio Stocks. ::)))