An investor checks his stocks value at a stock exchange market in Shanghai October 23, 2007.
An investor checks his stocks value at a stock exchange market in Shanghai.
  • China's stock markets have chalked up over $6 trillion in losses since 2021.
  • The market meltdown reflects a loss in investor confidence and questions over Beijing's will to stimulate the economy.
  •  A relatively new derivative product called "snowballs" is adding to a vicious cycle of selling.

China's stock markets are in meltdown mode, chalking up over $6 trillion in losses since 2021 with no let-up in this new year.