Hang Seng Leads Asia-Pacific Stock Market Index Gains in 2024

Hong Kong stock prices saw the highest increase in the Asia-Pacific region throughout 2024. This is reflected in the Hong Kong stock exchange index (Hang Seng), which experienced the largest percentage increase.

According to Investing data, the Hang Seng Index on Friday (December 20, 2024) stood at 19,720.7, up 15.68% compared to its position at the end of 2023 (year-to-date/ytd). This increase was the highest compared to other stock exchange indices, as shown in the graph.

The next highest-performing stock index was the Nikkei-225. This Japanese stock exchange index rose 15.65% (ytd) to 38,701 during the same period.

Next is the Singapore stock exchange index (FTSE Straits Times), which rose 14.8% (ytd) to 3,719.93. This was followed by the United States stock exchange index (Dow Jones), up 13.67% (ytd) to 42,840.26, and the China stock exchange index (Shanghai Composite), strengthening by 13.22% (ytd) to 3,368.07.

Following these were the Vietnam stock exchange index (VNI), up 11.29% (ytd) to 1,257.5, and the Malaysian stock exchange index (Kuala Lumpur Composite), also up 9.4% (ytd) to 1,591.41.

Meanwhile, the South Korean stock exchange index (KOSPI) recorded the deepest decline this year, at 9.46% (ytd) to 2,404.15.

This was followed by the Indonesian stock exchange index (IHSG), which fell 3.97% (ytd) to 6,983.87, and the Thai stock exchange index (SET), which decreased by 3.59% (ytd) to 1,365.07.