SHANGHAI'S key stock index rose today for the fourth day, led by commodity producers on higher prices.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index added 0.3 percent, or 9.78 points, to close at 3,246.87 points. Turnover shrank to 162.7 billion yuan (US$23.9 billion) from 169.8 billion yuan on Monday. Losers outnumbered gainers 478 to 389 while 21 shares remained unchanged.

The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks the smaller domestic market, was down 0.3 percent to close at 1,237.21 points.

National Bureau of Statistics said yesterday that prices of non-ferrous metals, petrochemicals and coal have shown accelerated monthly increases as of January 10.

Jiangxi Copper Co was up 0.8 percent to 39.11 yuan. Aluminum Corp of China gained 0.4 percent to 14.39 yuan. Yunnan Chihong Zinc & Germanium Co climbed 1.2 percent to 26.9 yuan. Minmetals Development Co advanced 1.6 percent to 20.13 yuan.

Brokerages were strong on news that stock index futures will debut in April. Everbright Securities Co jumped 1.4 percent to 28.06 yuan. CITIC Securities Co edged up 0.3 percent to 31 yuan. Haitong Securities Co rose 1.5 percent to 18.07 yuan.

PetroChina, the country's largest oil producer, increased 1 percent to 13.85 yuan. Sinopec was up 1 percent to 13.06 yuan.