Markets, resource shares slide

China’s main stock index fell by almost 2% Thursday, led by resource shares declining in response to dropping global oil and metal prices, state media reported. The Shanghai Composite Index (SCI) ended the day down 1.86% at 2,690.75 points. The SCI is down 7.31% over the last six trading days, approaching the 17-month low of 2,566 reached in July. Shenhua Energy dropped 6.37% and Shandong Gold shares fell 9.5% on the day. Real estate shares also suffered, with property developer Vanke slipping 6.25% despite its announcement that first-half net profit had risen by 24%, up from 17% in the first quarter.