China’s 200 million-strong army of retail investors was supposed to help the market turn a corner. Instead, it has become a source of weakness.

Assurances from government officials on plans to strengthen the private sector offset a lack of specifics about economic stimulus.

An epic Chinese stock market rally lost steam after comments from the nation’s economic planners cast down hopes for more fiscal stimulus measures.

China Life Insurance Co., the nation’s largest life insurer, said profit for the first nine months of the year is expected to increase as much as 185% from a year earlier, buoyed by investment returns.

Asian equities were mixed as Taiwan outperformed while Mainland China and Hong Kong underperformed. The US dollar strengthened again versus Asian currencies as doubts about the number of Fed cuts increased.