Fu Chenghao/Shanghai Daily news
Shanghai stocks dropped yesterday although the decline was offset by late
session buying in heavyweights such as mobile carrier China Unicom, dealers
said.
The Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks yuan-denominated A shares
and foreign-currency B shares, shed 0.26 percent to 1,089.95. The A-share Index
fell 0.26 percent to 1,145.91 while the B-share Index lost 0.59 percent to
59.41.
"Some big caps were under pressure as many institutional players
adjusted their portfolios," said Wei Wei, a West China Securities Co trader.
"The index should remain under the 1,100 level in the near future as sentiment
is still low."
Energy producers fell even though the China Electricity
Council said the country will consume 11 percent more electricity next
year.
China Yangtze Power Co dropped 1.10 percent to 7.16 yuan (88 US cents)
while Huadian Power International Corp lost 1.50 percent to close at 2.63
yuan.
Shanghai Automotive Co was hit after Xinhua news agency reported the
State Council is giving priority to develop public transport because of dense
populations in cities and limited space, something that may dampen demand for
cars. The listed unit of the country's biggest carmaker finished trading at 3.13
yuan, down 1.88 percent.
Price manipulation
Elsewhere, China United
Telecommunications Corp, which controls the nation's smaller cellular phone
operator, finished flat at 2.57 yuan after late afternoon buying.
Baoshan
Iron & Steel Co, the country's biggest steelmaker, declined 1.52 percent to
end at 3.90 yuan.
Warrants of the steelmaker fell 13.92 percent to close
trading at 0.965 yuan after surging an abnormal 46.5 percent, far above the
actual value, on Monday.
The Shanghai Stock Exchange has monitored any
accounts it considered involved in possible price manipulation and may take
legal action after an investigation, the China Securities Journal
reported.
Asia's top refiner China Petroleum & Chemical Corp remained in
demand to close 1.79 percent higher at 3.99 yuan after jumping 3.16 percent in
the previous session.
The Shenzhen Stock Exchange, which tracks the country's
smaller bourse, declined 0.26 percent.