On July 19, an influential financial media group announced during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) that it plans to launch its first commodity index focused on the AI industry supply chain within this year. This new index aims to assist industries in cost management and risk hedging.
The development of the index is a joint effort between this media group, Shanghai Huazheng Index Information Service Co., and Shanghai Kingstar Fintech Co. The design of the index system and product has been finalized, with the official release expected later this year.
The initial index will concentrate on the AI supply chain, consisting of two main parts: an AI price index and an AI cost index. Covering both upstream and downstream commodities, the price segment features an index for computing power prices and token prices. The cost segment includes indices based on raw materials used in four key industrial sectors: AI chip manufacturing, data center construction, liquid cooling support, and computing power–electricity coordination, evaluating essential commodities such as copper, silicon, lithium, aluminum, and energy sources.
With a history spanning 23 years, this media group has built extensive connections within commodity and capital markets across the country, collaborating with cloud service providers, large-model developers, and data centers. This solid industry network provides a strong foundation for the index’s development.
An executive from the media group explained that the new index will leverage its wide media presence and credibility to establish fair and authoritative benchmarks for industrial prices. Additionally, it will offer technology companies and financial institutions standardized tools for tracking costs and managing risks. This shift signifies a move from traditional financial content to a comprehensive, ecosystem-driven industry platform designed to add value and support industry growth.
Chairman of Kingstar Fintech highlighted that launching this commodity index at this moment is a strategic step aligned with the increasing financialization of the AI sector. He emphasized that creating a more scientific and transparent pricing mechanism for new production factors like computing power and data is essential for industry advancement and enhancing its global competitiveness. The index aims to help China develop a distinctive pricing system for emerging industries, boosting the country’s influence in the digital economy’s pricing landscape.
The chairman of Huazheng Index noted that although AI industry growth prospects are promising, the specific development path involves ongoing experimentation and uncertainty. He expressed hope that the indices will provide real-time insights into key cost factors and trends, helping companies manage risks effectively and stay resilient amid the rapid development of AI technology.
In practical terms, AI tech firms, computing resources providers, and data centers can utilize this index to monitor fluctuations in computing power, tokens, and raw materials as they hedge cyclical risks. Traditional manufacturers and renewable energy companies can use the industrial profit index to assess market conditions and refine investment strategies. Moreover, this new index will aid industrial financial players in navigating emerging sector cycles, offer futures traders and financial institutions new tools to serve the industry, and strengthen China’s influence in global digital asset pricing.