Which index was the main benchmark in the 1987 Black Monday crash in Hong Kong?

The Hang Seng Index was the main Hong Kong benchmark involved in the 1987 Black Monday crash.

Hong Kong’s market fell sharply before the United States experienced its October 19 sell-off. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange closed for several days during the turmoil, reflecting the scale of the disruption and the effort to restore orderly trading.

The international sequence mattered because investors were increasingly connected through global capital flows, portfolio strategies, and round-the-clock markets. Declines moved from Asia to Europe and then North America, although each market had its own conditions and trading rules.

The Hang Seng Index tracks major companies listed in Hong Kong. It should not be confused with the Nikkei 225, Japan’s principal stock index, or the Shanghai Composite, which represents mainland Chinese-listed shares.