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(Yicai Global) Dec. 25 -- The FTSE China A50 Index, which includes equities including the sectors of banking, insurance, manufacturing and commodities in mainland China, opened lower this morning, taking from a brisk pre-Xmas sell-off in the US markets overnight.
The index opened 1.1 percent lower, partly weighed down by commodities. Crude oil futures started the day 5 percent thinner, while fuel and methanol lopped off 3 percent. Purified terephthalic acid, used in making polyester, as well as coke and asphalt fell more than 2 percent.
US equities decreased to the lowest since April 2017, just before the bourses closed for the Christmas holidays yesterday afternoon.
International oil prices tumbled more than 6 percent. West Texas Intermediate futures due in February ended down 6.71 percent at USD42.53 a barrel. Brent contracts due the same month closed at USD50.47 a barrel, down 6.22 percent.
Futures markets in the US, Britain, Germany and France will be closed for Christmas Day today.
Editor: Emmi Laine