IN BRIEF (Page 10)

Shares soar to new high

Chinese stocks rose to the highest in almost eight months on Friday, led by developers on speculation the central bank will lower borrowing costs for the first time this year and as investors expect corporate earnings to improve.

Poly Real Estate Group, China's second-largest developer by market value, added 3.3 percent. China Merchants Bank gained 1.6 percent after reporting higher profit last year. Jiangxi Copper Co jumped by the 10 percent daily limit after prices of the metal rose to a five-month high.