BEIJING – China's major stock indices ended lower in the morning session Thursday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.42 percent at 3,290.8 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index lost 0.17 percent to 12,552.14 points at midday.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, went up 0.31 percent to 2,773.63 points in the morning session.

The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.