SHANGHAI'S key stock index remained unchanged in the morning session as gains made by coal miners and advanced industrial material producers more than offset losses in the finance sector.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.2 percent, or 6 points, to close at 2,977.45. Turnover fell to 104.8 billion yuan (US$15.8 billion) from yesterday morning's 122 billion yuan.

The Shenzhen Component Index, which tracks the smaller market in southern China, grew 0.86 percent to 13,224.

Coal miners grew after coal prices in China's major coal market in Qinghuangdao grew 1.38 percent from last week on speculation that demand may increase in the winter. Datong Coal Industry Co jumped 5.51 percent to 26.23 yuan. Shanxi Xishan Coal & Electricity Power Co climbed 6 percent to 29.45 yuan. China Shenhua Energy Co rose 1 percent to 29.65 yuan.

Advanced industrial material producers led the gains in small caps and growing enterprise market as the main areas of development in the next Five-Years-Plan. Beijing Zhongke Sanhuan High-Tech Co surged by the daily limit of 10 percent to 21.78 yuan. Henan Xindaxin Materials Co jumped 3.27 percent to 49.86 yuan. Sinoma Science & Technology Co grew 1.38 to 48.43 yuan.

The finance sector extended previous losses. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China dipped 0.4 percent to 4.49 yuan. Agricultural Bank of China dropped 2.11 percent to 2.78 yuan. China Pacific Insurance Group Co edged down 0.6 percent to 27.98 yuan.