Chinese Stocks End Tuesday in Red

(MENAFN) Chinese equities retreated sharply on Tuesday, with major indices closing deep in the red as Middle East tensions continued to unsettle global financial markets.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropped 1.43 percent to close at 4,122.68 points, while the Shenzhen Component Index fell a steeper 3.07 percent, finishing at 14,022.39 points.

Combined turnover across both indices reached 3.13 trillion yuan — approximately 452.97 billion U.S. dollars — edging up from 3.02 trillion yuan recorded in the prior session, suggesting heightened trading activity amid the turbulence.

Sector performance was sharply divided. Oil and gas extraction and shale gas stocks bucked the broader downtrend to post gains, buoyed by surging crude prices tied to the ongoing regional conflict. Military equipment and minor metals shares, however, ranked among the session's heaviest casualties.

Growth and technology-focused boards fared particularly poorly. The ChiNext Index — tracking China's Nasdaq-style growth enterprises board — shed 2.57 percent to close at 3,209.48 points. The selloff was even more severe on the sci-tech innovation board, where the STAR Composite Index cratered 5.38 percent, settling at 1,729.17 points — one of the session's most punishing single-day declines.

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