CSI 500 A, still choose the one with the most holders

As the 2025 annual fund reports are fully disclosed, the market’s attention-grabbing CSI A500 ETF also presents its latest “report card.”

As of December 31, 2025, CSI A500 ETF Guotai (159338) has reached 99,101 shareholder accounts, ranking first among the 32 CSI A500 ETFs in the entire market, more than double the second place, making it the top choice for many investors to allocate to the CSI A500 Index.

When selecting ETFs daily, many investors often focus on size, fee rates, and other dimensions, but tend to overlook the key indicator of “number of shareholders.” The number of shareholders directly reflects the product’s market recognition and better aligns with the actual investment needs of ordinary investors.

Why should you look at “Number of Shareholders” when choosing an ETF?

2. 1**． **Broad investor validation, high product recognition

If an ETF is only held by a few large institutions, it is essentially more of a “customized institutional tool”; whereas a large number of shareholders indicates both institutional and individual investors are involved. The product’s tracking accuracy, trading experience, and liquidity have been tested by the broader market over time, making it a standardized tool truly suitable for the public.

3. 2**． **Dispersed shareholder structure, more stable operation

Products with fewer shareholders are more susceptible to large redemptions or subscriptions by a few institutions, increasing volatility risk; a higher number of shareholders means more diversified funding sources, reducing the risk of sharp fluctuations caused by single large inflows or outflows, resulting in smoother net value trends, less susceptibility to manipulation, and a more reassuring holding experience.

4. 3**． **Stronger market consensus, more efficient pricing

The more diverse the investor types involved, the more fully the market prices the product, leading to more reasonable premium and discount levels, effectively avoiding price deviations driven by single large funds, with smaller tracking errors and more transparent investment.

5. 4**． **Better trading liquidity, smoother buy-sell transactions

The more shareholders, the higher the market trading activity, narrower bid-ask spreads, and smoother execution of large orders, providing solid support for daily trading.

In simple terms, a higher number of ETF shareholders not only indicates a more stable, transparent, and tradable product but also represents the market’s trust paid in real money.

Why do many shareholders choose CSI A500 ETF Guotai?

The reason why CSI A500 ETF Guotai has gained the trust and choice of nearly 100,000 investors is no accident. This market recognition is closely related to the excellent allocation value of the CSI A500 Index itself, truly making it understandable, accessible, and reliable for ordinary investors.

First, it has comprehensive and balanced industry coverage.

The CSI A500 Index achieves full coverage of secondary industries and basic coverage of tertiary industries, with balanced industry representation that better reflects the overall performance of the most representative listed companies across various sectors.

Second, it has prominent growth attributes.

Based on the CSI 300 Index, the CSI A500 Index reduces weights in non-bank financials, banks, and food & beverages by about 10%, distributing these evenly into emerging industries, making the index’s new productivity features more distinct and more growth-oriented. (Data sources: CSI Index Co., Wind, Shenwan Level 1 industries, as of March 30, 2026. Industry weightings are dynamic and for reference only.)

Third, it gathers industry leaders with strong quality.

As a core broad-based index covering the entire market, the CSI A500 selects 500 securities with larger market capitalization and better liquidity from various industries, excluding those with CSI ESG ratings of C or below. In each CSI tertiary industry, the top two companies by market value as of September 30, 2025, are defined as “industry leaders.” The CSI A500 covers 97% of the leading companies in CSI tertiary industries, including both traditional giants and many high-growth “hidden champions,” making it a top-tier A-share “elite class.”

It’s clear that the CSI A500 Index balances “growth potential” and “risk diversification.” These advantages lay a foundation for its long-term performance. As of March 30, 2026, the CSI A500 Index increased by 459.45% from its base date, compared to a 347.41% rise in the CSI 300 Index during the same period, showing significant excess returns. (Data sources: Wind, base date: December 31, 2004; period: January 1, 2005 – March 30, 2026; index trend for reference only, not indicative of future performance.)

Since 2025, the CSI A500 Index has continued its good performance, rising 21.38%, outperforming the CSI 300 Index’s 14.16% increase during the same period. (Data sources: Wind, period: January 1, 2025 – March 30, 2026; for reference only, not predictive of future results.)

CSI A500 Index Historical Performance

Data source: Wind, period: December 31, 2004 – March 30, 2026. Short-term gains and losses are for reference only and do not constitute investment advice.

Among many products tracking the CSI A500 Index, CSI A500 ETF Guotai (159338) performs outstandingly. In 2025, this product earned 4.67B yuan in profit for clients, ranking among the top in its category, practically fulfilling the original intention of allowing more investors to share market gains through ETF tools.

From the fee perspective, the management fee and custody fee of CSI A500 ETF Guotai are 0.15%/year and 0.05%/year respectively, both among the lowest in the category. For investors, lower fees mean fewer costs and more room for returns.

In the current environment, CSI A500 ETF is more favored by funds

Since March, affected by external disturbances such as geopolitical conflicts, the market has experienced noticeable adjustments, with significant daily volatility and increased sector rotation. For investors, accurately betting on a single track has become more difficult, and “balanced allocation” is a safer investment strategy. Against this backdrop, broad-based products like CSI A500, with industry balance, risk diversification, and wide coverage, continue to attract capital.

Looking ahead, the domestic macroeconomy is steadily recovering, monetary policy remains prudent and loose, and liquidity stays reasonably ample, providing solid support for the long-term healthy development of the A-share market. Structural opportunities are expected to continue. Meanwhile, uncertainties such as overseas geopolitical conflicts and Fed policy adjustments still exist, and market volatility risks remain. The investment style of “focusing on high-quality leaders, balancing value and growth” may further stand out.

As a core broad-based index aligned with the development of “new productivity,” the CSI A500 Index deeply covers core assets and emerging industry leaders, balancing the stability of traditional sectors with the high growth potential of emerging industries. It perfectly matches current market needs for “balanced allocation, both offense and defense.” As market recognition of this concept deepens and related industries of new productivity continue to develop, the long-term allocation value of the CSI A500 Index will become more prominent. More shareholders choosing CSI A500 ETF Guotai (159338) will continue to see it as a top option for broad market exposure and navigating volatile markets.

Investors without stock accounts can also seize investment opportunities in core A-share assets through the Connect Funds (Class A: 022448, Class C: 022449, Class I: 022610, Class Y: 026615) linked to the CSI A500 ETF.

Risk Warning

Note: The management fee of CSI A500 ETF Guotai is 0.15% annually, and the custody fee is 0.05% annually. The front-end purchase fee rates are as follows: below 500k yuan, 0.08%; from 500k to under 1 million yuan, 0.50%; 1 million yuan and above, a flat 100 yuan per transaction. The Connect A management fee is 0.15% per year, custody fee 0.05% per year. The front-end subscription fee is: below 500k yuan, 0.80%; from 500k to under 1 million yuan, 0.50%; 1 million yuan and above, 100 yuan per transaction. Redemption fee: less than 7 days holding period, 1.50%; 7 days or more, 0.00%. Connect C management fee: 0.15% annually, custody fee 0.05%, sales service fee 0.20%, no subscription fee, redemption fee same as above. Connect I management fee: 0.15% annually, custody fee 0.05%, sales service fee 0.10%, no subscription fee, same redemption fee. Connect Y management fee: 0.15% annually, custody fee 0.05%, no sales service fee, subscription fee: below 500k yuan, 1.00%; from 500k to under 1 million yuan, 0.60%; 1 million yuan and above, 100 yuan per transaction. Redemption fee: less than 7 days, 1.50%; 7 days or more, 0.00%.

Shareholder data source: 2025 fund annual report, period: September 26, 2024 – December 31, 2025; profit data source: 2025 fund annual report; other data: Guotai Fund, Wind. Opinions are for reference only and may change with market conditions; do not constitute investment advice or promises. Funds carry risks; invest cautiously. Past index performance does not predict future results. The above ETF funds are equity funds with higher expected returns and risks than hybrid, bond, and money market funds. They are index funds tracking the underlying index, with risk-return characteristics similar to the market portfolio represented by the index. Investors should carefully read the fund contract, prospectus, product summary, risk disclosure, and other legal documents before investing, understand the risk-return profile, and assess whether the fund matches their risk tolerance based on their investment goals, horizon, experience, and asset situation. Funds are risky; invest prudently.