Stocks fall for 3rd day, register biggest drop in six weeks

Decline due to concerns about sustainability, but some observers think investors just taking a breather

Chinese stocks fell the most in six weeks, led by financial and energy companies, amid concerns that recent gains were excessive relative to growth prospects.

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd, the nation's largest lender, slid 1.7 percent, while PetroChina Co, the biggest oil company, suffered its biggest drop in two months. SAIC Motor Corp and Tsingtao Brewery Co decreased by more than 2 percent as consumer companies slumped before Friday's trade data.