The Shanghai Shipping Index (SSI) is a leading indicator of the health of the Chinese economy. It is a weighted index of the daily average price of Shanghai-listed shipping stocks. The index is widely followed by global investors as a gauge of Chinese economic activity.
The SSI hit a record high in late October 2010, indicating strong demand for Chinese exports. However, the index has been on a downward trend since early 2011, as the Chinese economy has cooled and global demand for Chinese goods has slackened.
The SSI is an important indicator to watch, as it can give clues about the direction of the Chinese economy. A rising SSI is generally bullish for the Chinese economy, while a falling SSI is generally bearish.