SHANGHAI'S key stock index declined for the fourth straight day yesterday on concerns industrial output data to be released later this week will show that the national economy is slowing.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks yuan-denominated A shares and hard-currency B shares, slipped 0.44 percent, or 10.9 points, to 2,446.3 after touching a low of 2,370.74 in the morning session.

Turnover rose to 36.44 billion yuan (US$5.36 billion) from 32.06 billion yuan in the previous trading day. Losers outnumbered gainers 474 to 377 while 30 stocks were unchanged.

"Most investors are concerned the statistics to be released will signal lackluster prospects despite the government's claims of maintaining a stable economic growth and investment environment," ICBC Credit Suisse Asset Management Co said in a note. "The 12-year high PPI (producer price index) has also stirred anxiety of higher inflation."

Data for industrial output, seen as a key economic indicator, will be released by the National Bureau of Statistics today.

China's PPI, which measures the value of finished products when they leave the factory, jumped 10 percent in July, the statistics bureau said on Monday.

Among losers, PetroChina, the country's largest oil producer and the index's biggest component, lost 0.79 percent to close at 13.75 yuan after hitting 13.18 yuan, the lowest since the company went public. China Life Insurance Co Ltd, the country's largest insurer, fell 3.42 percent to 23.73 yuan. Industrial & Commercial Bank of China fell 2.86 percent to 4.75 yuan.