China Stocks Head for Strong Monthly Gain

The Shanghai Composite rose 0.4% to around 3,860, while the Shenzhen Component gained 0.5% to 12,630 on Friday, extending the previous session’s advance amid broad market strength. Both benchmarks are on track for solid monthly gains as Chinese equities rallied on easing US-China trade tensions, expectations of new stimulus, and supportive factors such as stronger fund inflows, rising retail participation, and margin buying. Artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks drove the rally, buoyed by renewed investor interest despite lingering concerns about weak fundamentals. Among notable movers on Friday, China Northern Rare Earth and Victory Giant each gained 2.5%, Dosilicon Co surged 16.4%, Shanghai Stonehill rose 4.8%, and Suzhou TFC added 6.8%. In contrast, Cambricon Technologies dropped 6.4%, ending a record rally after the AI chipmaker reported a swing to first-half profit.