Large losses taking their toll on investors

Liu Wei, a white-collar worker in Beijing, never imagined his investment in the stock market could shrink so fast.

The value of Liu's five stocks soared to 70,000 yuan ($11,300) in early June, nearly 50 percent more than his investment when he started putting money in the market in April.

But in mid-June, the stock market began to fall, and by Friday, the Shanghai Composite Index had plummeted nearly a quarter from its peak. Liu lost all his gains and another 20,000 yuan.