(Yicai Global) Sept. 1 -- China's mainland stock markets moved up steadily in the afternoon in a robust start for the month after one of the country's manufacturing indexes indicated stronger recovery than the other one had suggested.

The Shanghai Composite Index closed 0.44 percent higher at 3,410.61. The Shenzhen Component Index was at 13,849.66, up 0.66 percent. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen, up 0.81 percent to 2,750.42.

Auto companies led the markets by rising over 3 percent. Several firms hit the 10-percent daily limit-up, including BYD [SHE:002594]. Nonferrous metals and business service providers also surged while clothing manufacturers and property firms were left behind.

China's Caixin purchasing managers' index for manufacturing edged up 0.3 point to 53.1 in August from a month earlier, the highest level since February 2011, as the country recovers from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest index published today.

The official manufacturing PMI, released by the National Bureau of Statistics yesterday, declined by 0.1 point to 51 during the same period.

Editor: Emmi Laine