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Record oil price hits refiners, airlines
13/8/2005 9:23

Leo Zhang/Shanghai Daily news

Shares in Shanghai yesterday dived for the first day in six led by oil refiners and airlines after crude futures rose to a record on overseas markets.
The Shanghai Composite Index, which covers yuan-denominated A shares and foreign-currency B shares, lost 1.32 percent to 1,167.92. The A-share Index shed 1.36 percent to 1,227.12 while the B-share Index added 1.88 percent to 67.43.
"Rising oil prices will dent earnings of users as they may fail to pass on the increased costs to customers," said Li Zhi, a Hualin Securities Co analyst.
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp, Asia's biggest oil refiner and also known as Sinopec, dived 2.60 percent to 4.49 yuan (55.4 US cents).
Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co, the country's largest chemical fiber maker, lost 2.01 percent to 2.44 yuan. Qilu Petrochemical Co, 82 percent-owned by Sinopec, fell 2.48 percent to 7.09 yuan.
Crude oil for September delivery grew as much as 0.5 percent to US$66.13 on the New York Mercantile Exchange in early trading. The figure was the peak for a contract nearest to expire since futures started trading in 1983.
The rise in the oil price hit airlines over concerns mounting jet fuel costs may erode earnings.
China Southern Airlines Co, the country's biggest carrier by fleet, closed at 2.82 yuan, down 1.74 percent. China Eastern Airlines Corp, the third largest, plunged 2.30 percent to 2.55 yuan.