Stocks close higher after positive data

Mainland stocks rebounded from their lows yesterday after better-than-expected inflation and trade data, but the main index ended only marginally higher as weak foreign markets underlined concern about the global economic outlook.

The Shanghai Composite Index dropped to a new 20-month intra-day low of 2,102.91 points in early trade and bounced after the data to a high of 2,185.69. But it ended just 0.23 percent higher at 2150.76 points.

Turnover in Shanghai A shares rose to 28.4 billion yuan from 21.7 billion yuan on Tuesday, when it hit its lowest level since October 2006.