Shares decline on bleak industrial data

The mainland stocks fell for a second day, led by electronics companies and power producers, on slowing retail sales and industrial production.

The Shanghai Composite Index slid 5.14 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2133.88 at the close, paring its annual advance to 17 percent. The CSI 300 Index retreated 0.2 percent.

"We haven't seen any real sign that the economy has bottomed out," said Wu Kan, a fund manager in Shanghai at Dazhong Insurance Co, which manages about $285 million. "It's difficult for investors to put money into equities now."