Healthcare stocks surge the most

SHANGHAI - Stocks on the Chinese mainland rose for the first time in three days as drugmakers, home appliance companies and other so-called defensive shares rose on speculation they are more sheltered from faster inflation and an economic slowdown.

A gauge of healthcare shares jumped the most among 10 industry groups, led by a 10 percent rally for Jilin Aodong Medicine Industry Groups Co, a traditional Chinese medicine maker.

China Construction Bank Corp paced gains for lenders on speculation higher borrowing costs will boost net interest margins. TCL Corp, a home appliance maker, jumped to the highest in a year after the company estimated a three-fold increase in first-quarter profit.