Retail-led market may need reform

Official statistics show that the number of retail investors in the mainland stock market reached 80 million in January.

China prepares for stock index futures

The China Securities Regulatory Commission is making preparations for the launch of stock index futures.

Shares of Industrial Bank Co surged 53 percent on its debut in Shanghai today after the US$2 billion offer attracted record bids from investors.

At least eight more mainland companies have mapped out Hong Kong listing plans to raise as much as US$3.05 billion this year.

Overseas investors should see the changes in several trends in China's use of foreign capital, if hoping to succeed in their business here.

During the morning hours, zealous investors lined up at the Zhongtou Exchange to turn their investment potions into stock market magic.

At the end of 2006, China recorded 80.06 million stock investors about 4 million more than the United States.

Huaxia Bank Co Ltd posted an unaudited 2006 net profit of 1.457 billion yuan (US$188 million), up 13 percent from 2005.

The market value of China's listed stocks tumbled by 7 percent in the past week with share prices suffering several huge blows.

China should let selected investors borrow money to buy the country's exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the Shanghai bourse said.

China has set up a State department to vet applications by firms to launch sales of shares that don't trade publicly.

Volatility displayed by China's stock markets may have an impact on the share prices of stocks traded in Hong Kong.