Tide turns in China as local stockmarket investors trade speculatives for blue chips

Hong Kong

RETIRED chauffeur Yao Huiliang used to spend his days trading small-cap Chinese stocks, trying to make quick money on sharp moves - casino-type behaviour often seen in China's stock markets.

But having lost on such bets recently, he is now switching into blue chip stocks, such as the big banks. "There's not much swing in big-caps, so you don't make quick money. But it's safe," Yao said.