Finishing lower for the second consecutive trading day, Taiwan's share prices fell marginally Monday, with the weighted index, the market's key barometer, falling 15.49 points, or 0.23 percent, to close at 6,649.91. The local bourse opened at 6,691.02 and fluctuated between 6,693.44 and 6,615.90 during the trading session. A total of 3.91 billion shares changed hands on market turnover of NT$104.39 billion (US$3.16 billion). Four of the eight major stock categories gained ground, with construction stocks and paper and pulp shares moving up the most at 1.7 percent. Textile shares surged 1.4 percent, and cement issues rose 0.7 percent. Foodstuff stocks remained unchanged. Three other major stock categories lost ground, with banking and financial shares dropping the most at 1.1 percent. Machinery and electronics shares lost 0.3 percent, and plastics and chemicals shares shed 0.1 percent. Gainers outnumbered losers 1,171 to 956, with 178 stocks remaining unchanged. Foreign institutional investors were net sellers of NT$668 million in shares. Last week, the Taiex gained 201.84 points, or 3.12 percent. Automotive issues rose sharply on news that the year-on-year rate of growth of new car registrations in June was positive for the first time this year, with China Motor Corp. and Yulon Motor Co. rising by the maximum 7 percent. The real estate sector also made a strong showing, with more than 10 stocks rising by the maximum 7 percent on news that the Executive Yuan is expected to approve several urban renewal projects in Taipei City and that Taiwan will soon allow Chinese investment in the property market. 