HSBC Corporate, Investment Banking & Markets (CIBM) Global Research has announced the launch of the HSBC Saudi Equity Index. The broad index and its sector counterpart HSBC Saudi Petrochemical Equity Index will act as benchmarks for the local market, and will be accessible via HSBC funds and ‘participatory notes’.Global head of access products Hugh Evans said, “The Saudi market is currently in a period of rapid expansion and has been a real success story recently. These funds and access products are suited to a wide range of investors who want to gain exposure to a market that is otherwise closed for direct investment by non-GCC residents.”

The Saudi Index comprises 36 liquid stocks representative of the market capitalisation of all economic sectors in Saudi Arabia. The Petrochemical Index provides exposure via a portfolio of 11 shares with weightings representative of their market capitalisation in the sector. Both indices are reviewed quarterly.

HSBC Saudi Equity Index Fund and HSBC Saudi Petrochemical Equity Opportunities Fund are passively managed funds aimed at institutional investors and third-party distributors as a means of gaining exposure to a market currently closed to direct investment by non-domiciled investors.

HSBC’s Saudi head of asset management Osama M Shaker said, “This is an extremely exciting development for us and adds significantly to our existing offering of Saudi funds, which have seen strong growth and an increased interest in the last three months.”

Participatory notes and swaps linked to the funds are available for institutional investors who want exposure without setting up locally or who are looking for gearing, leverage and funding.