China stocks plunge triggering trading halt

BEIJING — China halted stock trading Thursday, its second daylong trading suspension this week, after prices plunged in the latest spasm of investor panic on its volatile markets.

Chinese markets have lurched up and down as regulators gradually withdraw emergency measures imposed after the main stock index plunged in June following an explosive rise.

A similar price plunge Monday triggered a sell-off on Wall Street and other global markets.

On Thursday, trading was suspended after a market index, the CSI 300, nose-dived 7 percent a half-hour after markets opened, triggering a “circuit breaker” that was introduced Jan. 1.

Financial analysts have warned Chinese markets are likely to see extreme volatility for a few more months as they seek a stable level following last year’s rout.

The “circuit breaker” requires a 15-minute pause in trading if the CSI 300 falls 5 percent within 30 minutes. Trading halted only 13 minutes into the morning session Thursday. Stocks plunged further after trading resumed 15 minutes later, triggering the daylong trading freeze.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 7.3 percent to 3,115.89. The Shenzhen Composite Index for China’s smaller second exchange slumped 8.3 percent to 1,955.88.

Also Thursday, a six-month ban on sales by shareholders who own more than 5 percent of a company was due to expire. Regulators announced this week that to avoid fueling further volatility, such sales will be limited to private transactions.