(Yicai Global) Jan. 2 -- Around 65 percent of listed Chinese companies that have furnished performance estimates for 2018 are optimistic about their efforts.

Some 792 companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen forecast positive results, of a total 1,232 that have posted full-year predictions for last year, state-backed China Securities Journal reported, citing data from Wind.

Among the optimists, around 252 companies expect a gain in profit, 313 expect a 'slight' increase, 64 expect to prevent losses and 163 expect to book sustained profitability. Some 582 firms expect profit growth to increase, with 123 expecting it to double and four expecting it to grow at least 11-fold.

The chemical, wine and food, medicine and construction materials sectors put forward the most promising reports, while analysts predict that growth in these cyclical industries will slow after the high base set this year and emerging and consumption sectors should advance steadily.

Some 18 of the expected top 20 performers logged most of their gains from non-recurring items, such as investment returns and consolidated earnings.