China cracks down on short sales, quants

Taking a hit: People passing by the Beijing Stock Exchange. After rallying sharply from February, Chinese stocks have slid since May as unease grows over poor corporate profits. — AFP

BEIJING: China took some of its most extreme steps yet to restrict short selling and quantitative trading strategies, seeking to support the nation’s sliding stock market as a closely-watched economic policy meeting approaches.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) approved an increase in margin requirements for short selling starting July 22, making the trades more expensive for hedge funds and other investors.