Chinese equities retreated 0.62 percent on Friday dragged down by agricultural, non-ferrous metals, and information technology shares.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.62 percent to close at 2,448.59 points. The Shenzhen Component Index dropped 0.49 percent to 9.315.20 points.

Losses outnumbered gains by 558 to 229 in Shanghai and 438 to 236 in Shenzhen.

Combined turnover was 168.3 billion yuan (US$24.64 billion), compared with the previous trading day's 176.3 billion yuan.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2009)