(Yicai Global) Oct. 19 -- China's mainland Stock markets set off higher this morning as market participants eagerly await third-quarter economic data that is expected to outstrip forecasts.

The Shanghai Composite Index started 0.44 percent higher at 3,351.10, while the Nasdaq-like Star Market Board 50 Index, or Star 50, was also up 0.44 percent at 1,444.84.

The Shenzhen Component Index stood at 13,638.78, up 0.78 percent. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises listed in Shenzhen, jumped 0.97 percent to 2,750.95.

The Chinese government is poised to announce third-quarter results. Chief economists at major Chinese financial institutions Yicai Global surveyed have predicted on average the nation’s economy growth will recover to 5.26 percent during the period, after increasing 3.2 percent in the second quarter and contracting 6.8 percent in the first three months under the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Editor: Ben Armour