The Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1% to below 3,900 on Friday, while the Shenzhen Component inched up to 13,600, as mainland equities delivered a mixed performance amid lingering skepticism over Middle East peace negotiations. Both indices remained on track for steep weekly losses, with uncertainty over the conflict persisting despite US President Donald Trump extending the Iran nuclear deal deadline by 10 days.
Sentiment was further pressured by reports that the US may deploy up to 10,000 additional troops to the region, dampening risk appetite. Investors also kept an eye on upcoming US–China diplomatic engagement, with Trump now expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in May following delays attributed to the conflict.
On the macroeconomic front, industrial profits rose 15.2% year-on-year in January–February, building on the previous month’s rebound. At the stock level, notable decliners included PetroChina (-0.5%), CNOOC (-0.9%), Foxconn Industrial (-1.5%), and Zhongji Innolight (-2.1%).