Firms with links to fentanyl rebound

Shares in major Chinese fentanyl-related listed companies rebounded on the close of trading on Monday, after a slide earlier in the morning on news that China and the United States had agreed to enhance cooperation on law enforcement and to combat illicit drugs, including the synthetic drug fentanyl, a medical substance that helps ease pain, but is addictive if abused.

Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday on the two sides' decision to cooperate on illicit drug control, and that China has decided to list all fentanyl-like substances and their precursors as controlled substances, citing Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

About four A-share companies operate in the fentanyl business, and more than 10 have business in the related pain relief and anesthesia sector. The total market value of these companies amounts to about 526 billion yuan ($76 billion).