Mainland stocks almost flat after mixed day of trading

Stock markets in the Chinese mainland had a mixed performance on Thursday and remained almost flat.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index inched up by 2.42 points or 0.12 percent to 2,054.95 points on Thursday. The Shenzhen Component Index edged lower by 0.98 points or 0.01 percent to 7,340.69 points.

The combined turnover on the two bourses on Wednesday was 161.89 billion yuan ($25.99 billion), slightly up from the Wednesday's 160.25 billion yuan.

Financial stocks, which led the gain on the previous trading day, fell back on Wednesday.

CITIC Securities Company declined by 1.13 percent to 11.37 yuan while New China Life Insurance Co shed 1.41 percent to 20.97 yuan on Thursday.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China declined by 0.27 percent to 3.72 yuan on Thursday and China Minsheng Banking Corp lost 0.94 percent to 7.38 yuan.

Meanwhile, stocks related to nonferrous, healthcare and environmental protection, especially water treatment, posted strong gains, limiting the downward pressure on Thursday.

Heilongjiang InterChina Watertreatment Co and Shanghai Safbon Water Service Co soared by the daily limit of 10 percent to 4.92 yuan and 14.85 yuan, respectively.

Media reports said on Thursday the Chinese government plans to invest 2 trillion yuan to combat water pollution.

ChiNext, China's NASDAQ-style board for high-tech and fast-growing start-ups listed in Shenzhen, jumped by 13.52 points or 1.00 percent to 1,367.39 points.