A-shares up in first month in MSCI index

Chinese A-share companies performed robustly in their first month in the MSCI Emerging Market Index.

Of the 222 stocks that have been added to the index, 159, or 71.7 percent, rallied, according to figures from financial data provider Wind, cited by Securities Times on Friday. Twenty stocks hit historic highs, it said.

From June 21 to July 20, China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index increased 2.81 percent to 3,244.86 as of Thursday closing, while the blue-chip CSI 300 Index rose 4.46 percent to 3,747.88.

US equity index provider MSCI announced on June 21 the inclusion of 222 companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses to its widely-traded Emerging Market Index, marking a milestone for the internationalization of the country's A-share market.

"Since MSCI put China A-shares on the 2014 Market Classification Review list in 2013, there have been ongoing improvements in China’s market accessibility conditions," an MSCI statement said.

Analysts believe the inclusion of China's A-share market in the MSCI index is a win for the Chinese stock market, the MSCI and global investors.