Mainland stocks fell yesterday, led down by non-ferrous metal producers after a pull-back in global copper prices, and by banks after Shenzhen Development Bank slashed its profit estimate for 2008.

Steel and auto shares outperformed because of expectations that government aid for the sectors would be announced soon.

The Shanghai Composite Index ended down 1.95 percent at 1863.367 points, just off the day's low of 1861.811.