Strong performance metal and sugar shares pushed Chinese share prices higher on Friday, despite falls of bellwether Sinopec, Baosteel and China Unicom.

The Composite Stock Index on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, which comprises mainly yuan-denominated A shares and foreign-currency B shares, closed at 1,298.30 points, up 0.28 percent, with a turnover of 14.1 billion yuan (1.76 billion U.S. dollars).

Fluctuating within a short range, the index stood at 1,291.52 points at opening session, down 3.2 points, and reached daily lowest level of 1,285.73 points and the highest of 1,298.75 points.

The major index of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, the Shenzhen Component Index, was up by 0.81 percent, closing at 3,516.40 points with a total turnover of 8.9 billion yuan.

Share prices of non-ferrous metal and sugar firms listed on the Chinese stock markets reached new high on rising prices of the commodities on the international market in the past few days.

Analyst with Guangfahuafu Securities Co., said that the strong performance of the metal and sugar shares boosted the confidence of investors.

Hong Yanhua, an analyst with the Sanyuan Securities Co., said the share indices are expected to reach new highs next week.

Source: Xinhua