Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP)
What it is:
The Shanghai Composite Index tracks the biggest and most important public companies in China.
How it works/Example:
The Shanghai Composite Index is similar to the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) in the U.S.
Why it matters:
The Shanghai Composite Index is one of the most closely watched global benchmarks. Although it was created to track the performance of China's largest companies, investors tend to use it to gauge the health of the entire Chinese economy.