China: Stocks flat as investors watch regulatory moves

[SHANGHAI] China shares were little changed on Wednesday morning, with lingering concerns that regulators aim to restrict some investments by insurers offsetting strength in small-cap and raw material stocks.

The Hong Kong stock market tracked Wall Street higher, lifted by banks and commodity plays.

The blue-chip CSI300 index was unchanged at 3,459.24 points at the end of the morning session, while the Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.1 per cent, to 3,202.98 points.

The benchmark Hang Seng index added 0.4 per cent, to 22,754.26 points, and the Hong Kong China Enterprises Index gained 0.5 per cent, to 9,818.93 points.

Zhang Qi, analyst at Haitong Securities in Shanghai, said dampening mainland markets was profit-taking by some investors after moves by regulators. "Investors don't see opportunities in the short term," he said.

REUTERS