Index plunges 7.4% as equities dumped

Investors make for the exits, with analysts saying market heading toward 'bear territory'

Chinese equities plunged on Friday with the benchmark index suffering the worst single-day decline in seven years and moving toward what analysts said is bear-market territory.

The Shanghai Composite Index tumbled by 7.4 percent, or 334.91 points, to close at 4,192.87.