Chinese shares a shade down

Chinese equities edged down on Tuesday, retreating after three sessions of gains.

At the close of market hours, the Shanghai Composite Index finished down 0.16 percent at 2,937.62 point, the Shenzhen Component Index lost 0.28 percent to end at 9,283.41 percent, and the blue chip CSI300 index shed 0.45 percent to close at 3,806.84 point.

Turnover on the two major bourses totaled 350 billion yuan (US$50.88 billion), shrinking form 422.4 billion yuan (US$61.37 billion) in the previous trading season.

Chemical sector and the communications industry had strong performances. Top losers were shipbuilding, liquor and insurance.

The largest percentage gainers in the main Shanghai Composite index were China Satellite Communications Co Ltd, gaining 10.04 percent, followed by Wutong Holding Group Co Ltd, up 9.95 percent.

Shares of Longxing Chemical Co Ltd hit the daily cap as well.

The largest percentage losers in the Shanghai index were BanBao Co Ltd, down 5.55 percent, followed by Shenzhen Sunxing Light Alloys Materials Co Ltd, losing 5.22 percent.