China stocks close mixed on Tuesday

Chinese shares closed mixed on Tuesday as investors showed caution towards strong retail data and moderate growth in industrial production and urban investment.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.03 percent, or 0.71 points, to finish at 2,237.49.

The Shenzhen Component Index inched up 0.40 percent, or 34.50 points, to finish at 8,554.17.

Combined turnover on the two bourses increased to 198.85 billion yuan (32.54 billion U.S. dollars) from 182.58 billion yuan the previous trading day.

Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showed Tuesday that retail sales rose 13.7 percent year on year in November, accelerating from the 13.3-percent growth recorded in October.

On the other hand, industrial production growth softened in November, with industrial value-added output expanding 10 percent year on year. Urban fixed-asset investment growth also cooled to 19.9 percent in the Jan.-Nov. period.

Tuesday's rises were mainly led by the textile machinery, motorcycle and furniture sectors, up 2.52 percent, 2.15 percent and 1.74 percent, respectively.

The property sector gained 0.90 percent, led by Jilin Guanghua Holding Group Co., Ltd. based in northeast China.

Sectors that posted strong performances on previous trading days fell back on Tuesday. The shipbuilding industry lost 2.95 percent, with its main player China CSSC Holdings Limited down 5.28 percent to 20.82 yuan per share.