(Yicai Global) Feb. 18 -- China's mainland stock markets have started this week off by advancing modestly, while prolonging the upward trend of last week's post-holiday gains on the back of a broader money supply.

The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.65 percent to 2699.82 points at the opening bell. The Shenzhen Component Index climbed to 8187.89 points, up 0.77 percent. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen, advanced 0.52 percent to 1364.94 points.

Increases in new yuan-denominated loans, as well as non-governmental funding, or social finance, both hit record highs for the month of January, the People's Bank of China said in a statement on Feb. 15. These types of growth meant more liquidity for the nation's financial system just before the one-week Spring Festival holiday that ended on Feb. 10. 

Editor: Emmi Laine