China Diversified
ac · cess (noun): The means or opportunity to approach, enter, or make use of something not otherwise available.
Why China?
China is the world's second-largest economy, its largest consumer of most physical commodities, and home to some of the deepest and most active futures and equity markets on earth.
Yet for most international investors, there are barriers to entry and opacity that obscure the opportunity set. The result is a large, liquid, and growing market that we believe is underrepresented in most institutional portfolios. We believe that China offers something increasingly rare: a vastly idiosyncratic market whose movements are shaped by its own economic forces, policy decisions, and structural dynamics.
On the Ground in China
Millburn was an early entrant in China, having begun researching Chinese futures markets in 2012. The firm established a local presence early on, including through an eventual joint venture with a Shanghai-based partner, building research and trading infrastructure on the ground.
That local presence has been vital to our success. Understanding Chinese markets requires familiarity with local regulatory frameworks, market microstructure, and a participant base that is structurally different from Western markets.
Key Milestones
2012
Began researching and trading Chinese commodity and financial futures
2013
Established a joint venture with a Shanghai-based team and launched the China Futures Program
2019
Launched an onshore hybrid program trading equities and futures
2024
Established another joint venture with the same Shanghai-based team and launched the China Absolute Return Program
Today
A growing platform spanning futures and equities, serving both Chinese and qualified international investors
Earliest Implementation: 2013
Systematic, long and short investing across a diverse set of liquid futures contracts on Chinese exchanges, using the same data-driven framework Millburn applies globally—calibrated for local market dynamics.
Interest Rates
Chinese government bond futures reflect domestic monetary policy and economic conditions.
Stock Indices
Onshore equity index futures provide broad exposure to Chinese equity market movements.
Agriculture
Grains, oilseeds, and soft commodities traded on Chinese exchanges, many of which have no direct international proxy.
Energy
Crude oil, fuel oil, and related contracts are tied to China's domestic energy consumption and production.
Industrials
Metals, chemicals, plastics, glass, and other industrial commodities that reflect the scale and breadth of China's manufacturing economy.
Earliest Implementation: 2024
China's A-shares market is one of the largest in the world by number of listed companies, but remains lightly covered by international analysts relative to its size—an environment that can result in higher-than-typical levels of inefficiency.
Industrials & Materials
Manufacturing, construction, chemicals, and basic materials—sectors that reflect the scale and evolution of China's industrial economy.
Technology & Communication
Hardware, software, semiconductors, and telecommunications are areas where rapid domestic growth and increasing global competitiveness are anticipated.
Consumer & Healthcare
Consumer goods, retail, food and beverage, and healthcare—driven by the spending patterns and demographic shifts of the world's second-largest population.
Financials & Real Estate
Banks, insurance, securities firms, and property—sectors that are shaped by domestic policy and China's unique credit and regulatory environment.
Energy & Utilities
Traditional and renewable energy, power generation, and infrastructure—reflecting China's position as the world's largest energy consumer and its accelerating transition to clean energy.
Together, these capabilities give investors access to both sides of the onshore Chinese markets. This diversified approach to China is a core component of the Millburn Alloy Program, our multi-strategy solution. For many investors, Alloy provides an efficient way to gain exposure to Chinese markets as a complement to Millburn's other strategies.
Investors with a specific interest in dedicated China exposure—including the equity strategy—are encouraged to contact us directly to discuss available options.
Local Expertise, Global Standards & Broader Access
Built through local partnerships, yet governed by Millburn's global standards for research, risk management, and compliance. International investors gain access to markets that require a local presence to trade effectively.
Established Presence
Over a decade of live trading in Chinese futures and a recently launched equity strategy built on years of foundational research. Millburn has traded through multiple market cycles, regulatory changes, and periods of volatility in these markets.
China Futures
Outside of mainland China, Millburn's Chinese futures capabilities are accessible through approved channels, including through use of the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) scheme and via specific “Internationalized Chinese Futures” contracts accessible by international traders.
China Equities
In terms of equities, Millburn trades utilizing China A-Shares channel, allowing foreign investors to buy and sell stocks of mainland China-based companies listed on the Shanghai (SSE) and Shenzhen (SZSE) stock exchanges.
This framework provides international investors with the means for accessing a range of exposures in an otherwise difficult-to-reach market.
Interested in learning more about Millburn's China capabilities?
Request additional information about Millburn's China Programs by submitting the form.