China A50 Futures
SGX:CN1!
Key Statistics
About China A50 Futures
By Liveworldmarket Editorial Team · Last reviewed 6 July 2026
China A50 Index Futures — A Practical Guide
China A50 Index Futures (SGX ticker CN), traded on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), provide offshore-tradable exposure to the FTSE China A50 Index — the 50 largest mainland-China-listed A-share companies (constituents of both Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges). The contract is the primary vehicle for foreign investors to express A-share views during Asian trading hours, since direct mainland-A-share futures (CFFEX-listed) are heavily restricted for foreign participants.
CN futures trade in two sessions during the Singapore day and provide a cleaner, more-liquid alternative to the underlying A-share market for global allocators. The contract is the most-liquid offshore Chinese-equity futures.
History & contract origins
SGX FTSE China A50 Index Futures launched in September 2006 and have grown rapidly to become a key offshore Chinese-equity hedging vehicle. The contract has weathered numerous Chinese-market stress events including the 2015 A-share crash, the 2018 trade-war volatility, and the 2022 property-sector + tech crackdown.
Trading hours & session layout
SGX China A50 trades in two daily sessions (IST):
| T-session (Asian cash hours) | 06:30 - 13:30 IST |
| T+1 (after-hours) | 14:30 - 02:45 IST next day |
Holiday calendar (typical annual closures)
Listed below are the major scheduled closures for the underlying exchange. Exact dates shift year-to-year — always verify against the exchange's official calendar before holding overnight positions across a holiday boundary.
| Holiday | Typical date |
|---|---|
| Singapore public holidays | (Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Labour Day, Vesak Day, Hari Raya Puasa, National Day, Hari Raya Haji, Deepavali, Christmas) |
How to read this tape
Read China A50 futures alongside USD/CNH (offshore yuan), Shanghai Composite intraday, and Hang Seng. The three signals together give a complete picture of Chinese-equity sentiment. A50 futures often lead the cash A-share market by minutes during sharp policy-driven moves.
After-hours T+1 session (14:30 - 02:45 IST) is particularly important — it spans the European session and US morning, allowing offshore investors to react to global news in real-time before A-share cash markets reopen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the FTSE China A50?
An index of 50 largest A-share companies from Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges by free-float market cap. Compiled by FTSE Russell. Different from MSCI China (which includes Hong Kong-listed names) or CSI 300 (mainland-managed index).
Why are offshore A50 futures popular?
Because foreign access to direct mainland-A-share futures (CFFEX-listed CSI 300, CSI 500) is heavily restricted under QFII rules. SGX China A50 provides liquid, fungible, offshore-tradeable A-share exposure.
How does A50 correlate with Hang Seng?
Daily correlation around 0.7 — strong. A50 tracks mainland-listed Chinese mega-caps; Hang Seng tracks Hong Kong-listed Chinese + Hong Kong domestic names. The two diverge when Hong-Kong-specific news (China internet regulation, etc.) drives Hang Seng without affecting mainland A-shares.
Can Indian residents trade A50 futures?
Indirectly via LRS route through a Singapore-or-Hong-Kong-based international broker with SGX access. India-domiciled offerings are not available.
Related markets
Editorial article. Information only — not investment advice. Read our Risk Disclaimer before acting on any market data shown here.