Compiled by Caijing staff

(Caijing.com.cn) Chinese shares were mixed on Thursday, as strong gains in consumer stocks were offset by profit-taking after an eight-day market rally.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.07 percent to 3,172.95 points.

The index booked a 7.4 percent gain in an eight-day rally, before slipping 0.11 percent on Wednesday on weak lending data.

Turnover in Shanghai was 154.6 billion yuan (US$22.6 billion), compared with the five-day average of 162.3 billion yuan. Gainers led losers 496 to 375.

The Shenzhen Component Index was up 0.56 percent at 13,180.28 points, with gainers leading losers 535 to 298. Turnover was 98.3 billion yuan, compared with the five-day average of 101.6 billion yuan.

Consumer goods retailers and producers were among the top gainers, drawing support from stronger-than-expected October retail sales data released on Wednesday.

The sectors were also lifted by strong economic optimism. Premier Wen Jiabao said on Thursday in reference to the financial crisis that "the worst is over," adding that the global economy is on track for recovery. He also assured investors that the country's loose monetary policy will be maintained.

Retail sales in China rose 16.2 percent year-on-year in October, as consumers took advantage of extra shopping days because of the timing of the weeklong National Day holiday.

Kweichow Moutai Co. (SSE: 600519), the leading producer of premium Chinese liquors, gained 1.88 percent to 166.50 yuan, while fridge maker Hefei Meiling Co. (SZSE: 000521) climbed by the 10 percent daily limit to 10.21 yuan.

Home appliance retailer Suning Appliance Co. (SZSE: 002024) was one of the most active stocks, gaining 4.35 percent to 17.50 yuan.

Airlines also made gains after the Civil Aviation Administration of China said domestic companies carried 21.7 million passengers in October, an increase of 18 percent from a year earlier.

Hainan Airlines (SSE: 600221), in which billionaire George Soros owns a 3 percent stake through subsidiary American Aviation, added 2.03 percent to 6.02 yuan.

Steelmakers advanced after the industry's major players raised prices. Baoshan Iron and Steel Co. (SSE: 600019) gained 2.56 percent to 7.62 yuan, after raising its December prices by 6 percent, or 300 yuan per ton.

Wuhan Iron & Steel Co. (SSE: 600005) added 1.67 percent to 7.90 yuan, after raising its prices by the same margin.

Refiner Yunnan Chihong Zinc & Germanium Co. (SSE: 600497) put on 1.77 percent to 29.86 yuan, after saying it had received approval to raise about 1.8 billion yuan from the sale of 234 million new shares.

In contrast, bank shares continued to weaken, after the People's Bank of China said on Wednesday that new loans in October shrank to 253 billion yuan, below analysts' expectations and less than half the 516.7 billion yuan disbursed in September.

Shenzhen Development Bank Co. (SZSE: 000001) was the sector's biggest loser, falling 1.68 percent to 25.16 yuan.

Daqin Railway Co. (SSE: .601006), which transports more than 14 percent of China's coal output, fell 1.85 percent to 11.14 yuan, after saying it will raise 16.5 billion yuan from the sale of 2 billion new shares. Proceeds will be used to acquire railroad assets from Taiyuan Railway Administration.

1 yuan = 14 U.S.cents