Chinese shares take modest losses

China’s main equity indexes dipped on Thursday. Public utilities, medical firms and precious metals led the declines, while bank shares performed strongly.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.02 percent to 2,940.92 points, and the smaller Shenzhen Component Index sank by 0.13 percent to 9,555.76 points.

The blue chip CSI300 Index lost 0.01 percent to end at 3,870.67 points.

Turnover on the two major bourses totaled 360 billion yuan (US$50.97 billion), roughly even with 368 billion yuan in the previous session.

In the mostly down day, shares of public utilities, medical companies and precious metal firms took the biggest hits.

Against the decline, bank shares surged. Shares of Rural Commercial Bank of Zhangjiagang advanced by 4.54 percent. The agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery industries also gained. Shandong Yisheng Livestock & Poultry Breeding Co Ltd and Shandong Homey Aquatic Development Co Ltd both hit the daily limit.

On the STAR Market, only five components rose. Shares of Harmontronics Automation Technology added 2.07 percent, making it the biggest gainer of the day.