Equities rebound as financial companies see robust trading

Chinese mainland stocks rebounded from the biggest drop in a month as financial companies advanced and turnover waned before year-end holidays.

The Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.9 percent to 3,563.74 points at the close after meandering in the morning session on volumes 30 percent below the 30-day average. The gauge tumbled 2.6 percent on Monday after data showed falling industrial company profits and concern grew that a new system for initial public offerings will weaken demand for existing stocks.

The Shanghai gauge has climbed 22 percent from its August low as the government intervened to stem a $5 trillion equity-market rout and investors speculated the government will do more to boost growth.