As the stock market opened on October 8, a remarkable influx of investors poured in, and within just 20 minutes, the trading volumes on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges exceeded 1 trillion yuan (approximately 142.4 billion USD), marking a historic high. This unprecedented activity featured a diverse array of participants, from new investors—some as young as those born in the 2000s, who entered the market using their New Year’s money—to seasoned traders with over 20 years of experience finally reaping the rewards of profitability.
“In the long holiday, even though major brokerages were technically closed, our offices were bustling,” noted a staff member from the Guosen Securities office in Hangzhou. “We’ve been witnessing an ongoing influx of investors keen on opening accounts. It’s incredible to see so many young individuals from the post-2000 and post-1995 generations; it’s really hard to keep track of everyone!”
On the morning of the market opening, local resident Ms. Liu was seen eagerly seeking stock recommendations from more experienced investors. In a bold move, fellow retail investor Ms. Chen decided to bet all her chips at the daily limit threshold, swiftly securing a 20% profit.
Mr. Fang, another retail trader, treated himself to a Dream Dragon ice cream as a reward for his successful trading day. His personal rule was simple: earn a specific amount, and he could indulge. After two years without a sweet treat, Fang hit the jackpot on October 8 when one of his gaming stocks reached its upper limit, transforming a prior 25% loss on his initial 500,000 yuan investment into a 7% gain.
Mr. Guo, a manager at a startup in Xiaoshan, took a step back from the market after experiencing losses during the stock crash of 2015. Now, after nine years away, he is revisiting forgotten account details, ready to invest over 200,000 yuan.
Recent reports have spotlighted a wave of young traders entering the market, including a surprising number born in 2000 and even 2005. Eighteen-year-old Wang, a finance newbie who keeps close tabs on financial news, entered the market with 5,000 yuan earned from summer jobs. “If I can double this 5,000 yuan, I’ll be satisfied,” he stated, mentally preparing for the ups and downs ahead.
Nineteen-year-old Ma, a finance student, expressed regret for not investing more on September 30. As the market opened, he jumped in enthusiastically, despite facing some dips. Optimistic about his investments, Ma has placed 30,000 yuan into the market, part of which was funded by his parents. “They’re not fully on board with my trading, but they’re willing to give me a little to help me learn. I could end up losing it all, but I can’t borrow money for trading.”
In Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, a noticeable trend has emerged as many citizens flock to securities firms to open stock trading accounts and learn the intricacies of the market with assistance from brokerage staff.
