New accounts up as bourses reopen

SHANGHAI - Investors opened the most accounts to trade Chinese stocks last week in more than two months as the country's markets reopened following a weeklong holiday and the government extended support for the nation's industries.

Individual investors opened 330,875 accounts, data from the nation's clearing house showed on Wednesday, the most since the week ended Dec 18.

The Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.1 percent last week after the State Council said it will maintain measures to boost car and home appliance sales in rural areas. The measure has lost 6.1 percent this year on concern the country's economic rebound will lose pace as the government reins in stimulus.