Chinese shares close mixed Thursday

Improving trade data failed to lift the Chinese stock markets, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edging down 0.09 percent, or 1.88 points, to end at 2,044.89.

The Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.23 percent, or 18.77 points, and closed at 8,114.87.

Combined turnover of the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses shrank sharply to 171.8 billion yuan (27.8 billion U.S. dollars) from 221.3 billion yuan the previous trading day.

Latest customs data showed the country's exports went up 5.1 percent year on year to 185.99 billion U.S. dollars in July, recovering from a fall in June. Imports rose 10.9 percent to 168.17 billion U.S. dollars.

The trade data improvement gave a temporary boost to prices but it did not last as heavyweight companies including security brokers, coal producers and property developers declined.

Industrial Securities Co., Ltd. fell 1.35 percent to 9.49 yuan per share, China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd. dipped 0.62 percent to 16.11 yuan and China Vanke slipped 1.9 percent to 9.79 yuan.

Analyst with Sina Finance said upcoming inflation data also weighed negatively on the market. The National Bureau of Statistics is scheduled to release the consumer price index for July on Friday.