Homes, health help equities extend gains

China's stocks rose for the eighth day, the longest winning streak in more than two years, as developers gained after home prices climbed and healthcare companies advanced on growing H1N1 flu cases.

Shanghai Industrial Development Co and Beijing Capital Development Co surged at least 4 percent as house prices jumped the most in 14 months in October. Beijing Tiantan Biological Products Corp rose 2.5 percent after the health ministry said H1N1 cases have soared since September. FAW Car Co climbed 5.2 percent after the nation's passenger car sales jumped last month.

The Shanghai Composite Index gained 3.03, or 0.1 percent, to 3,178.61 at close, completing an eight-day, 7.4 percent advance. The rally is the longest since the nine days to April 12, 2007. The CSI 300 Index, measuring exchanges in Shanghai and Shenzhen, rose 0.2 percent to 3,503.78.