Shares fall after 66 companies halt trading

SHANGHAI: The mainland stock market fell 1.84 percent yesterday, led by banks and insurance companies, following news of the earthquake in Sichuan province and the announcement of a rise in banks' reserve requirement ratio.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index also tumbled 66.74 points to close at 3560.24, although 491 of the 914 stocks closed higher. The Shenzhen Component Index fell 0.7 percent, or 91.87 points, to close at 13074.23.

Turnover on the two bourses totaled 187 billion yuan, up 9.3 percent from Monday.