Insurers free to put more premiums into stocks

New rules aim at boosting blue chip equities amid dampened sentiment

China on Wednesday increased the size of premiums that insurers can invest in stocks following media reports this week that securities regulators want to stabilize the sluggish stock market by boosting blue chip equities.

The China Insurance Regulatory Commission said in a statement published on its website that insurers can put premiums generated from policies written before 1999 into isolated accounts and invest in blue chips to an amount they deem fit.