Stock index down after fluctuations

The benchmark stock index fell yesterday, after changing direction at least 13 times, as a decline by commodity producers on lower metal prices countered gains by automakers.

Baoshan Iron & Steel Co, the country's biggest steelmaker, dropped 1.3 percent and Jiangxi Copper Co retreated 2 percent.

SAIC Motor Corp, the nation's largest carmaker, rose 1 percent and Chongqing Changan Automobile Co gained 4.6 percent after newspaper reports said auto sales increased.