Shanghai index reflects investor wariness

Stocks temporarily touch 3-year low, weighed down by declining profits

The Chinese mainland stock index temporarily fell to its lowest point in three years on Monday, blowing away investor confidence in public companies' profitability amid the sluggish external and domestic economy.

The Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks the biggest listed companies' stocks in the A-share market, closed 0.4 percent lower on Monday at 2106.96, the lowest since July 31. During the trading day, it temporarily dipped to 2089.02, a three-year low.