China Securities Journal | Foreign Investors Step Up Research on SSE-listed Companies, with Key Sectors Drawing Focus

Since 2026, overseas institutional investors have continued to ramp up research activities targeting A-share listed firms. According to Wind statistics, as of April 14, foreign institutions have surveyed more than 200 companies listed on the Shanghai Securities Exchange (SSE) this year, with a core focus on semiconductors, high-end equipment, smart hardware, innovative pharmaceuticals and other sectors.

In terms of research preferences, SSE-listed companies that attract high foreign interest are mainly listed on the STAR Market. Among the top 20 most surveyed enterprises, 15 are from the STAR Market, and all of the top five rankings are occupied by the STAR Market companies, including Orbbec, Opt Machine Vision, Arashi Vision and Montage Technology. On the Main Board, the companies such as Eastroc Beverage, Huaqin Technology, Wolong Electric and China Southern Power Grid Energy Storage have also drawn close attention from foreign institutions. Overall, overseas investors' research activities reflect their sustained focus on China's core themes of technological innovation and industrial upgrading, with AI and chip-related fields standing out as key priorities.

In terms of institution type, the foreign participants engaged in SSE corporate research have shown notable diversification this year. In addition to global investment banks including Goldman Sachs, Bank of America Securities and Jefferies, world-renowned hedge funds such as Point72 and Millennium appear frequently as researchers. Major asset management institutions like T. Rowe Price, Marshall Wace and Neuberger Berman, as well as sovereign wealth funds including Temasek Fullerton, have also joined on-site and offline surveys, indicating that various types of foreign capital are strengthening their tracking and research coverage of SSE-listed enterprises. Global investment banks maintain broad market coverage and focus on continuous tracking of core leading companies. Hedge funds lean toward high‑growth tracks such as semiconductors, smart hardware and high-end manufacturing. Long-term capital from large asset managers not only prioritizes "hard-tech" enterprises on the STAR Market, but also keeps steady attention on leading companies from the Main Board pharmaceutical and consumer sectors.

Industry experts noted that the intensive research conducted by foreign institutions this year reflects their continued emphasis on the stability and predictability of Chinese assets amid rising global uncertainties, as well as strong interest in industrial upgrading opportunities driven by technological innovation. Judging by research focuses and institutional composition, foreign investors are expanding in-depth research and strategic layout in "hard-tech" and related high-potential fields from multiple dimensions. Backed by solid risk resilience and sound growth fundamentals, SSE-listed companies are expected to grow more appealing to global investors, further highlighting the long-term allocation value of Chinese assets.