Trade data divides markets

Stock markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen closed with mixed results Wednesday as trading sentiment remained thin following an unexpected trade deficit for March.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index added just 0.02 percent, or 0.35 point, to finish at 2,226.13; while the Shenzhen Component Index ended trading at 8,962.30 after slipping 0.34 percent, or 30.82 points.

Even with the Dow Jones Industrial Average hitting another all-time high overnight, the Shanghai benchmark opened Wednesday below its previous close. After hovering in positive territory for most of the morning session, the market reversed near the noon bell as March trade data rocked investor confidence.

China unexpectedly recorded a trade deficit of $884 million, in contrast to the country's $15.3 billion surplus from the previous month, according to figures issued Wednesday by the General Administration of Customs. Exports grew 10 percent year-on-year during March, down considerably from the 21.8-percent surge seen in February; while imports increased 14.1 percent.

With few cues to direct trading, combined turnover at the two indices amounted to 138.5 billion yuan ($22.35 billion) Wednesday, up 5.24 percent compared with Tuesday.

Distillers and liquor shares were the best performers on the day as the China National Food Industry Association revealed that a looming raft of new plasticizer standards for the industry would be looser than many had been expecting. Jiugui Liquor Co surged to the 10-percent daily limit for the first time this year to 23.77 yuan; while Anhui Gujing Distillery Co jumped 8.27 percent to 27.61 yuan.

Companies with rosy profit growth forecasts for the first quarter outperformed as well Wednesday. Shenzhen Properties & Resources Development (Group) Ltd jumped to the daily limit to close at 7.52 yuan after predicting that its net profits for the first three months would rise 3,500 percent over the same period last year.