HSBC says a new document management system will "significantly" reduce the time – a month on average – it takes foreign investors to register to invest in Indian securities.

As financial analysts point to disappointing purchasing data to explain the collapse of Chinese equities in recent days, Chinese authorities have found someone else to blame – business journalists.

A flurry of fund manager commentary has sought to reassure investors by claiming the stock market rout described as "black Monday" was a short-term correction and not cause for panic.