CHINA’S shares ended slightly lower yesterday, led by declines in banks on lingering concerns about local-government debt.

    The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks both A and B shares, ended down 0.18 percent at 2,097.53. The Shenzhen Composite Index rose 0.32 percent to 1,054.22.

    The benchmark Shanghai index will hover around 2,100, analysts said.

    “While the Shanghai market may have stabilized after recent losses, we still didn’t find signals of a turnaround amid thin trading volume,” Shenyin Wanguo Securities analyst Yan Xiaoou said.

    The Shanghai index was up 0.8 percent last week, the first week of gains in three. Trading volume for the Shanghai Composite Index fell to 63.0 billion yuan (US$10.4 billion) yesterday from 66.4 billion yuan Friday.

    The market opened higher after the government last week called for more protection for small investors. The State Council on Friday said small investors by strengthening compensation and making controlling shareholders financially liable for certain investor losses.

    The government’s move “is aimed at boosting confidence among investors in a listless market,” Hong Yuan Securities chief investment adviser Tang Yonggang said. “We are looking to see how the policy will be implemented.” (SD-Agencies)