China has shut off live trading data on foreign investors’ dealings in mainland shares as regulators intensify efforts to bolster stock market sentiment and avoid a repeat of a steep sell-off in February, reports the Financial Times. The change, which took effect on Monday, affects data on so-called northbound trades from Hong Kong — those made by investors buying and selling shares listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges through the Stock Connect trading link.
Chinese authorities had announced their intention to make the move in April, saying the change was in line with global practices and meant to “ensure the integrity of market data disclosure” and “match market development with proper information disclosure”.
The Hong Kong stock exchange confirmed the move in a statement over the weekend. China has said it also intends to change its data disclosure on “southbound” trading of Hong Kong stocks by mainland investors. Trading through the Hong Kong connection is the main way for foreign investors to get direct access to mainland companies’ shares.