(Yicai Global) Jan. 8 -- China's mainland stock markets edged lower today, even though some listed companies were buoyed after receiving the country's State Technological Invention Award.

The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 0.26 percent at 2,526.46 points on trading volume of CNY123.4 billion (USD18 billion), while the Shenzhen Component Index fell 0.36 percent to 7,391.65, with CNY176.4 billion of shares changing hands. The Growth Market Index, also in Shenzhen, fell 0.36 percent to 1,263.51 with CNY54.8 billion in turnover.

Among the biggest losers was the defense sector and gold stocks, which are considered a safe haven investment. Firms in consumer products, natural gas and China-South Korea free trade zones led gains.

Some 58 listed companies were handed the 2018 State Technological Invention Award, which recognizes technical innovations, according to financial information outlet Cnfol. First-prize winners included Beidou Navigation Satellite [SHA:002151], commercial vehicle powertrain maker Weichai Power [SHA:000338; HKG:02338].

Weichai Power jumped by the maximum 10 percent limit allowed in a single trading day, but Beidou fell almost 3.7 percent. 

Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable [SHA:601869; HKG:06869], which won second prize, inched up 0.13 percent to CNY39.81 (USD5.81). Another second-prize winner, battery maker Hunan Corun New Energy [SHA:600478], rose nearly 0.5 percent to CNY4.18.

Editor: William Clegg