BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Lock-up shares worth about 22.8 billion yuan (3.3 billion U.S. dollars) will become eligible for trading on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges in the coming week.
The amount is 13.2 percent less than that last week, according to Zhejiang-based Hithink RoyalFlush Information Network, a financial information provider.
About 2 billion shares from 36 listed companies will become tradable from May 22 to 26. Chongqing New Century Cruise Co., Ltd. is set to unlock shares worth 9.1 billion yuan on Wednesday, the largest amount from a single company in the week.
Under China's market rules, major shareholders must wait one to two years before they are permitted to sell their shares.
The amount of unlocked shares has been dropping during the past weeks and is expected to reach the lowest level to date in June, which will provide a respite for the market under pressure amid tightening liquidity and strengthened regulation.
Chinese stocks closed mixed on Friday with shrinking turnover amid lingering market uncertainty.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index inched up 0.02 percent to end the day at 3,090.63 points. The smaller Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.03 percent lower at 9,970.96 points.
A single purchase
