Shanghai index up slightly, led by coal, metal shares

Shanghai stocks edged higher in morning trading, adding 0.18 percent to 2079.29. Midday turnover was 61.87 billion yuan (US$9.97 billion).

Coal miners and nonferrous metal producers led the market up. Yanzhou Coal Mine rose 2.79 percent to 7.01 yuan. Tongling Nonferrous Metals was up 2.29 percent to 9.82 yuan.

Medical equipment producers slumped in the morning session. Shinva Medical Instrument fell 3.62 percent to 30.65 yuan. Top Choice Medical Investment dipped 0.54 percent to 40.76 yuan.

Fujian-based companies advanced again after a surge yesterday. Fujian Cement gained 0.28 percent to 7.19 yuan while Fujian Expressway Development climbed 4.80 percent to 2.40 yuan as the national government unveiled a policy to boost Fujian's international trade.