Equities edge up led by banks, insurers

SHANGHAI: Mainland stocks rose, led by banks and insurers, after the nation's growth rate accelerated to the quickest pace since 2007 in the fourth quarter.

The Shanghai Composite Index rose 7.01, or 0.2 percent, to 3158.86 at the close, erasing a 0.8 percent loss. The CSI 300 Index gained 0.4 percent to 3408.57.

"China's economy has recovered strongly, particularly in the second half," Thomas Deng, head of China strategy at Goldman Sachs Group Inc, said. "We're still positive on the market."