Markets boosted by talk of US stimulus

SHANGHAI - Stocks on the Chinese mainland rose for the first time in three days on speculation the US Federal Reserve may consider another program to stimulate the world's biggest economy to prevent a recession.

Anhui Conch Cement Co led gains for cement companies after the government said combined profit at domestic makers of the building material more than doubled in the first five months. Xi'an Aircraft International Corp climbed 2.86 percent after Shanghai Securities News reported the government will make aircraft manufacturing one of the nation's strategic industries.

"A new round of quantitative easing would provide a short-term boost to asset classes such as the commodity markets, and the underlying stocks would benefit as well," said Wang Zheng, chief investment officer at Jingxi Investment Management Co, which manages about $120 million.