Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is planning to revise the calculation methodology of All Share Price Index (ASPI) by changing the constituent weighting method from full Market Capitalization to free float adjusted Market Capitalization from January 24th. Indices based on float adjusted market capitalization are better able to generate realistic market returns than those based on total market capitalization. The main advantages of the revised index would be that it will generate more realistic returns and the index methodology would be in par with generally accepted best practices of index calculations.
The ASPI will be calculated based on new methodology from 24th January 2022. The ASPI has historically been calculated based on full market capitalization, but an alternative to this calculation methodology is being implemented.
The following interview with Nishantha Hewavithana Head of Research and Strategy intends to provide some essential information in this regard.
- What is a stock market index and the purpose of it?
A stock market index is a statistical measure which shows changes taking place in the stock market. Hence, an index reflects overall market sentiment and direction of price movements of the stock market. These indices can be calculated for the whole market (broad market index), a select segment (sector indices) or based on any other theme (eg; Dividend Index, ESG Index etc.). Indices are mainly useful in determining the return of the market segment, understanding the overall market direction. - What are the different types of calculation methodologies?
There are various types of calculation methodologies based on different aspects. One such aspect is the weighting of index constituents. Two major weighting schemers are weighting index constituents on full market capitalization of each constituent and weighting index constituents on float adjusted market capitalization of each constituent. - What is float adjusted market capitalization?
Simply, this means total market capitalization multiplied by the public holding percentage. Public holding is the portion of the issued quantity of shares readily available for investors to trade and expressed as a percentage. This is calculated by companies and disclosed in interim financial statements.
- What is the ASPI methodology revision of 2022?
The ASPI has been calculated based on full market capitalization which means the index constituents are weighted based on the full market capitalization of each security. Alternatively, it could be weighed on float adjusted market capitalization. The revision is to change the weighting scheme from full market capitalization to float adjusted market capitalization.
Since companies disclose public holding quarterly in their interim financial statements the index weights would be revised quarterly (known as Index Rebalancing). - What is capping and why capped at 5%?
Capping is the technique use in index calculation to address the issue of over representation of one of few securities in an index. Index is capped at 5% level to address the issue of over representation of one of few securities in an index. Once capped the excess weight is
distributed proportionately among the remaining securities in the index. The same procedure is repeated until no security is exceeding 5% cap rate.
We back calculate Float ASPI index and capped at different cap rates. Based on return per unit of risk, 5% capping level has been the best. - What makes CSE to move for this kind of change?
Indices based on float adjusted market capitalization are better able to generate realistic market returns than those based on total market capitalization because they are based on tradable quantities.
Since the introduction of this idea in early 2000, most of the markets have adopted this in their index calculation methodologies. All the index service providers such as S&P Dow Jones, FTSE are using this method and is considered as a best practice in index calculation
methodologies. - What are the advantages and disadvantages of this move?
The main advantages of the revised index would be that it will generate more realistic returns and the index methodology would be in par with generally accepted best practices of index calculations. There are no disadvantages such.