Stocks rise to three-month high as exports rebound

Chinese mainland stocks rose to a three-month high, led by materials and energy companies, after the nation's exports rebounded more than expected.

The Shanghai Composite Index advanced 1.4 percent at the close, with more than seven stocks climbing for each one that fell. Overseas shipments in March increased 11.5 percent from a year earlier in dollar terms, compared with a 25 percent slump in February. Yanzhou Coal Mining Co jumped 8.2 percent, leading gains by producers of the fuel, after China International Capital Corp said prices of some coal products will increase on strained supply. Jiangxi Copper Co surged 8.4 percent to pace commodity shares.

The exports data add to signs of an economic rebound, with official figures due on Friday expected to show gross domestic product expanded 6.7 percent in the first quarter. The Shanghai equity gauge has risen 15 percent from a January low on expectations the world's second-largest economy has stabilized, with the measure's 30-day volatility dropping to a one-year low.