Trading by hedge fund Lingjun Investment has been temporarily restricted by two Chinese stock exchanges because of what they described as "abnormal trading" by the quant-driven firm, according to a report by Reuters.

The report cites the Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges as confirming the restrictions, which are in place until 22 February, after a computer-generated order to sell stocks early on Monday coincided with sharp falls in the market, which earlier this month hit a five-month low.

Lingjun is one of China's biggest hedge fund firms with over RMB60bn ($8.34bn) in assets under management, and uses derivatives and data-driven computer models to generate profits.