This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35219127

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
China share trading halted after 7% plunge China share trading halted after 7% plunge
(about 1 hour later)
Trading on China's mainland benchmark index - the Shanghai Composite - was suspended after the market dramatically plunged 7%. Trading on China's stock markets has been suspended after the market dramatically plunged and triggered a new system meant to limit volatility.
Trading was initially halted for 15 minutes after the stock market fell by 5%, triggering an automatic 15-minute trading suspension under a new system created to curb volatility. The benchmark Shanghai Composite index fell 6.9% while the blue-chip CSI 300 Index dropped 7%.
The technology-heavy Shenzhen Composite was the worst performer and fell by more than 8%.
Trading had been halted earlier in the day for 15 minutes after the stock market fell by 5%.
But shares continued to fall, leading regulators to end trading early.But shares continued to fall, leading regulators to end trading early.
A manufacturing survey earlier pointed to more bad news for the economy. Under China's new circuit-breaker mechanism, moves of 7% from the previous session's close trigger a trading suspension for the day.
The Caixin/Markit purchasing managers' index (PMI) slipped to 48.2 in December, marking tenth consecutive month of shrinking factory activity in the sector. The measures were introduced in early December after the stock market's turbulent sell-off over the summer. They came into effect for the first time on Monday
One factor behind the stock market falls was a manufacturing survey that pointed to more bad news for the Chinese economy.
The Caixin/Markit purchasing managers' index (PMI) slipped to 48.2 in December, marking the 10th consecutive month of shrinking factory activity in the sector.
A reading below 50 suggests a contraction in the sector, while anything above 50 suggests growth.A reading below 50 suggests a contraction in the sector, while anything above 50 suggests growth.
The private PMI survey, which focuses more on small and medium-sized businesses, came after an official survey on Friday, which looked at larger companies, suggested a fifth month of shrinking factory activity.The private PMI survey, which focuses more on small and medium-sized businesses, came after an official survey on Friday, which looked at larger companies, suggested a fifth month of shrinking factory activity.
The Shanghai Composite fell 6.9% to 3,296.66 points before trading was halted for the day. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index was down 2.8% at 21,293.13.
Under the new circuit breaker mechanism, moves of 7% from the previous session's close would trigger a trading suspension for the day.
The measures came into effect for the first time on Monday and were created after the stock market's turbulent sell-off over the summer.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down by 2.8% to 21,293.13.
Rest of Asia lowerRest of Asia lower
The rest of the region followed China lower on the start of the new year. Shares in the rest of Asia followed China lower. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed 3.1% lower at 18,450.98 as a stronger yen weighed on shares of major exporters.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed down 3.1% to 18,450.98 as a stronger yen also weighed on shares of major exporters. The market was also catching up with last week's declines in the US, after being closed for the past two sessions.
The market is also catching up with last week's declines in the US, after being closed for the last two sessions. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 0.5% at 5,270.50, while South Korea's Kospi index finished down 2.2% at 1,918.76.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 0.5% to 5,270.50, while South Korea's Kospi index finished lower by 2.2% to 1,918.76 points.
A jump in oil prices boosted Australia's energy sector with shares of Woodside Petroleum up 3%.A jump in oil prices boosted Australia's energy sector with shares of Woodside Petroleum up 3%.
Brent crude gained 3%, rising as high as $38.40 after Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric ignited tensions in the region, raising concerns among investors about oil supplies. Brent crude gained 3%, rising as high as $38.40 a barrel, after Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric ignited tensions in the region, raising concerns among investors about oil supplies.