Shanghai B-shares sharply higher; at record highs

SHANGHAI (AFX-ASIA) - B-share prices were sharply higher in early afternoon trade, after rising above their previous record high as they extended their morning gains, dealers said.	    At 1.26pm, the Shanghai B-share index was up 3.51 points at 141.72, while the A-share index was up 16.24 points at 2,164.69.	    The previous record high for the B-share index was 140.85 points, a level reached soon after the launch of the market in 1992, dealers said.	    Although B-shares remain under pressure from heavy profit-taking following the B-shares' huge gains since the launch at end-Feb of a policy giving domestic individuals formal access to the market, this has been offset by strong retail buying, and by moves by domestic institutions to drive prices higher as they take profits, they said. 

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