Which Hong Kong stock index plunged 46% during the first week of the 1987 global crash?

The Hang Seng Index plunged about 46% during the first week of the 1987 global crash.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index suffered an extraordinary collapse in October 1987. Trading was suspended for several days after the market fell sharply, and when the exchange reopened, panic selling continued. Across the week, the index lost roughly 46% of its value.

The global crash became known as Black Monday after the U.S. stock market fell on October 19, 1987. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 22.6% that day, the largest one-day percentage decline in its history. Markets in Europe, Asia, and other regions also experienced major losses.

The Hang Seng Index represents major companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It should not be confused with the Shanghai Composite, which tracks shares listed in mainland China. Hong Kong’s market was already highly volatile before the 1987 collapse.