S&P Dow Jones Indices and HKEX Introduce 60/40 Technology Benchmark

S&P Dow Jones Indices and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) have launched the S&P 500 & HKEX Tech 100 Index. This benchmark combines U.S. large-cap equities with the Hong Kong technology sector. Debuted on September 30, 2026, the index uses a 60% allocation to the HKEX Tech 100 and a 40% weighting in the S&P 500 to provide investors with a hybrid exposure profile.

"We are delighted to collaborate with HKEX to develop the S&P 500 & HKEX Tech 100 Index, combining Hong Kong’s technology sector with leading U.S. large-cap companies in a single, transparent benchmark," said Robert Ross, Chief Commercial Officer at S&P Dow Jones Indices, in a statement.

Strategic Objectives for ETF Integration

The index is structured to support the potential eligibility of tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the Southbound Stock Connect program. This cross-border investment channel allows mainland Chinese investors to trade shares listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, providing a mechanism for international financial products to access a larger pool of capital.

"We are delighted to deepen our collaboration with S&P Dow Jones Indices through this new index, which combines Hong Kong’s technology and innovation ecosystem with the breadth of the US large-cap market," said Gregory Yu, HKEX Head of Markets, in a statement regarding the partnership.

Understanding the Southbound Stock Connect

The Stock Connect program serves as a bridge between the mainland Chinese and Hong Kong financial markets. By designing a benchmark that meets the criteria required for index-tracking ETFs, the partners aim to facilitate entry for these products into the Southbound channel.

For investors, the 60/40 allocation represents a weighting that favors the Hong Kong technology sector while maintaining an anchor in the S&P 500, which tracks 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States. The launch follows a report by Investing.com detailing the collaborative effort to create a unified benchmark that reflects regional innovation and global large-cap stability.