Consumer, healthcare firms support blue chips

Blue chips on the Chinese mainland ended higher on Monday, helped by robust gains in consumer and healthcare firms.

The blue-chip CSI300 index closed up 0.44 percent at 3,833.26, while the Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.20 percent to 3,135.08 points.

Sector performance was mixed on Monday. Gains were led by consumer and healthcare firms, with indexes tracking them ending up 3.3 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that a team of US officials had arrived in North Korea to prepare for a proposed summit between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which Trump pulled out of last week before reconsidering.

Sentiment was also aided as worries eased over the trade tensions between China and the US.

Investors also found solace after data showed profits earned by Chinese industrial firms in April rose at their fastest pace in six months.

The largest percentage gainers on the main Shanghai Composite Index were Hunan Fangsheng Pharmaceutical Co up 10.04 percent, followed by Weilong Grape Wine Co gaining 10.03 percent and Changbai Mountain Tourism Co up by 10.02 percent.

The largest percentage losers on the Shanghai index were Guangdong Dcenti Auto-Parts Stock Co down 10.03 percent, followed by Jiangsu Rutong Petro-Machinery Co losing 10.02 percent and Zhejiang Grandwall Electric Science & Technology Co down by 10 percent.