Shanghai Composite down 0.26% at 3,104 points (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Shanghai , 30 Apr - Chinese shares closed moderately lower, halting a recent rebound and underperforming their Asian peers.

Caution prevailed as investors digested mixed purchasing managers index readings from China that pointed to some cooling after a strong first quarter.

Official data showed that in April growth in manufacturing activity in the region's biggest economy slowed slightly less than expected from March, while growth in non-manufacturing activity slowed much more than expected.

A private survey however painted a rosier picture of the manufacturing sector.

The official purchasing managers' index came in at 50.4 in April compared to 50.8 in March, however beating Reuters estimates of 50.3.

According to data released by S&P Global along with local media partner Caixin, on the other hand, China's purchasing managers' index for the manufacturing sector rose to 51.4 In April, from 51.1 in March. The reading marked the sixth successive monthly improvement in the health of the sector, with growth the most pronounced in 14 months, it added.

The Shanghai Composite index closed down 0.20% at 3,106 points, while the Shenzhen CSI 300 closed down 0.54% at 3,604 points.

the Shanghai Composite was up 2.6% in April, while the CSI300 rose 2.5% for the month, both outperforming their regional peers as optimism over corporate earnings and a series of policy support measures to boost investor confidence recently helped lift sentiment.

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(RADIOCOR) 30-04-24 11:14:10 (0341) 5 NNNN