Chinese shares ended flat Friday on concerns that rapid economic growth might slow, finishing the week down by 3.8 percent, according to AP. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed flat at 2,553.59. The Shenzhen Composite Index for China's smaller second exchange added 1 percent to 1,034.93. Investors worry that growth that hit 11.9 percent in the first quarter might slow if Europe's debt troubles hurt demand for exports, analysts said. A survey this week showed growth in manufacturing slowed in May. «Most investors are holding on a wait-and-see position, especially after the manufacturing sector showed signs of sluggishness,» said Zheng Gang, an analyst for Yingda Securities in the southern business hub of Shenzhen. Metals producers declined on concern demand might fall if economic growth slows. Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., China's biggest steel producer, gave up 1.1 percent to 6.21 yuan, while Jiangxi Copper Ltd., the country's biggest metal producers, slipped 0.4 percent to 28.4 yuan. Bank of China Co. lost 5.2 percent to 3.64 yuan after a sale this week of bonds that can be converted to shares on concern they might dilute existing shareholders. Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., China's biggest commercial lender, fell 0.2 percent to 4.21 yuan. Software makers surged on optimism about a government stimulus plan for the industry. China National Software & Service Co. and Beijing Join-Cheer Software Co. both surged the daily 10 percent maximum _ China National to 21.37 yuan, and Join-Cheer to 25.91 yuan. In currency markets, the yuan weakened to 6.8290 to the U.S. dollar, down from Thursday's close of 6.8285.
