Mainland stocks fall on cooling talk

SHANGHAI: Mainland stocks fell, sending the benchmark index to the lowest level in almost four months, as growth in manufacturing heightened concerns the government will take additional measures to prevent the economy from overheating.

Hebei Iron & Steel Co, the listed unit of China's second-biggest steelmaker, declined 3.8 percent after the central bank deputy governor said the government plans to curb overcapacity in industries including steel. Jiangxi Copper Co and Aluminum Corp of China Ltd slid more than 3 percent.

China Shenhua Energy Co paced declines among coal producers after spot prices for the fuel dropped at Qinhuangdao port and earnings slumped.