Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) has launched two new stock market indexes focused on artificial intelligence and semiconductors, giving investors a way to track companies working across these fast-growing technology sectors. The exchange has also signed a licensing agreement with China Southern Asset Management to develop an exchange-traded fund (ETF) linked to its new AI index for mainland Chinese investors.
Announced on October 23, 2026, the move expands HKEX’s range of technology-focused benchmarks as demand for AI infrastructure, chips, and related software continues to draw investor attention.
New AI Index Tracks 40 Hong Kong-Listed Companies
The HKEX Artificial Intelligence Index follows 40 Hong Kong-listed companies with significant exposure to the AI industry. It covers five areas: chip design, data centers, AI infrastructure, AI models, and software and physical applications.
Rather than focusing only on companies that develop AI models, the index covers businesses involved in the wider technology ecosystem needed to build and operate AI systems.
HKEX said its selection and weighting approach considers fundamental factors, including companies’ investment in AI research and development and capital expenditure. This is intended to give investors a benchmark that reflects activity across Hong Kong’s AI sector.
Semiconductor Index Covers 30 Companies
The second benchmark, the HKEX Semiconductor Index, tracks the 30 largest semiconductor-related companies listed in Hong Kong. It covers semiconductor manufacturing, equipment, electronic components, computing hardware, and storage. These areas are key to developing AI systems, which require specialized chips, computing capacity, and supporting infrastructure.
The index gives investors a way to follow a broader range of semiconductor businesses rather than focusing on individual stocks. Both indexes help market participants assess the performance of companies operating in these technology segments.
China Southern to Develop AI-Linked ETF
Alongside the launches, HKEX signed a licensing agreement with China Southern Asset Management, allowing the mainland Chinese firm to develop an ETF tracking the HKEX Artificial Intelligence Index.
The agreement could make it easier for mainland investors to gain exposure to AI-related Hong Kong-listed companies through an index-linked investment product. However, HKEX has not yet announced the ETF’s launch date or further product details.
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What the Launch Means for Investors
The new indexes reflect growing interest in AI and semiconductor investments. They also expand the range of benchmarks available to financial firms developing funds and other investment products.
For investors, the indexes offer a structured way to monitor these sectors, although their performance will depend on the underlying companies, market conditions, and technology spending trends.