Equities rise as inflation concerns decrease

SHANGHAI - Stocks on the Chinese mainland rose, spurring the biggest gain for the benchmark index in a week, on speculation inflation will decelerate the rest of the year and the nation's economic growth may sustain earnings.

SAIC Motor Corp climbed 1.9 percent after the nation's car sales rebounded in June after dropping the previous month. Anhui Water Resources Development Co jumped the most this month after Xinhua News Agency reported the government will speed up investment in water projects. China Shenhua Energy Co led declines among coal companies as raw-material prices fell.

The Shanghai Composite, which tracks the bigger of China's stock exchanges, rose 4.92 point, or 0.2 percent, to 2802.69 at the 3 pm close on Monday. The CSI 300 Index added 0.1 percent to 3113.21.