Survey: Two out Five Hong Kong Adults Are Stock Investors, ShareownersA survey released Monday by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) found that two of five Hong Kong adults are stock investors or shareowners.The HKEx's survey found that 21 percent of Hong Kong's adult population were stock investors and 19 percent were shareowners. These percentages represent approximately 1.1 million stock investors and one million shareowners among the total population of Hong Kong adults. The proportion of stock investors increased from 16 percent in the previous survey in 1999. HKEx attributed the growth to the offer of Tracker Fund shares in 1999 and MTRC shares in 2000, which attracted a large number of new investors. The survey also found trading frequency increased, with the typical stock investor conducting an average of five transactions in the past 12 months, compared with three transactions before 1999. This year's survey was the first to cover Internet trading by stock investors. Seven percent of those who traded during the past 12 months placed orders via Internet including 2 percent who had placed all their orders via the Internet. The typical Hong Kong retail stock investor is a 37 year old white collar worker with a monthly income of about 16,250 HK dollars (US$2,083), according to the survey. The proportion of male stock investors was 52 percent, similar to the 1999 survey. The findings also showed stock investors are generally better educated and more likely to be employed in a professional occupation than non-stock investors. The survey, based on telephone interviews with 2,187 Hong Kong respondents, was the first retail investor survey conducted by HKEx. |
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