QUIRKY WORLD ... No pleasure for condom makers in China birth move

China: Shares in companies making nappies, baby buggies. and infant formula were handed a big boost by China’s decision to scrap its decades-old one-child policy — but the news was not so good for the condom makers.

Investors backed a bump in sales for companies with baby or child-related businesses after China’s Communist leaders announced that all married couples would be allowed to have two children.

One of the biggest winners was China Child Care, which makes hair and skin care products for children, while Hong Kong and mainland Chinese-listed formula makers also rose strongly, as did nappy makers in Japan. However, shares in Japanese condom maker Okamoto, a favourite of Chinese visitors to Japan, slumped by 10%.