Shares of China's Zhipu AI and Minimax Jump on Buzz of Hang Seng Index Inclusion

Shares of Zhipu AI and Minimax Group saw remarkable gains on Friday after Bloomberg signaled they're strong contenders for upcoming additions to the Hang Seng indexes. Zhipu rocketed 26.2%, while Minimax climbed close to 17%, marking a notable trading day for China's AI sector.

These two players are among the so-called "AI Tigers," startups spearheading China's ambitious AI push. Both have seen their stock prices skyrocket over 300% since they debuted in January, reflecting heightened market interest in China's AI development story.

The buzz revolves around their possible inclusion in the Hang Seng TECH Index and the overall Hang Seng Composite benchmark in the index review slated for Friday. This is more than a routine reshuffle - such an addition often means increased visibility and access to capital.

Especially notable is that inclusion in the Hang Seng would make Zhipu eligible for the Mainland stock connect program potentially as soon as June, with Minimax possibly qualifying in August. Entry into this scheme opens doors to southbound investors from mainland China, often bringing a fresh wave of buying pressure.

Estimates suggest Zhipu could attract inflows between HK$51 billion and HK$92 billion ($6.5 billion to $11.7 billion), while Minimax might see new buying of up to HK$47 billion. These are significant potential capital movements for relatively young AI startups, underscoring the strategic importance of their possible index upgrades.

The Hang Seng Indexes Company operates quarterly reviews, adjusting the composition of key benchmarks to reflect market evolutions. The spotlight on AI firms like Zhipu and Minimax emphasizes the shifting focus of Hong Kong's stock market toward next-generation technology firms.

While current momentum around these stocks rides on the back of China's AI ambitions, investors will likely watch the quarterly review closely for confirmation. Inclusion would mark a milestone for these companies and contribute to upgrading the technological complexion of the Hang Seng indexes.

For now, Zhipu and Minimax continue to defy the usual rookie jitters and instead capture the imagination of investors chasing China's AI narrative. Whether this hype sustains or cools off after the review remains the big question.