China: Stocks fall on data showing inflation rate rose in Feb

[SHANGHAI] China stocks fell roughly 2 per cent on Thursday, led by banking and energy shares, as investors interpreted data showing consumer inflation rising faster than forecast as largely negative for an economy struggling to find momentum.

China's blue-chip CSI300 index fell 1.9 per cent, to 3,013.15, while the Shanghai Composite Index lost 2.0 per cent, to 2,804.73 points, adding fresh evidence that the recent rally is running out of steam.

The data, which showed February consumer inflation accelerating at its fastest pace since July 2014, limits room for monetary easing, analysts say.

But the inflation report helped companies making consumer products stand out as winners on Thursday.

REUTERS