2013.08.1302:59:02UTC+00Emerging stocks advance as China data supports gold producers

Emerging-market stocks bolster to a two-week high as confidence in China’s economy developed and gold producers supported South Africa’s benchmark gauge to a record.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index stepped 0.7 percent higher to 957.82, the topmost level since July 26. The FTSE/JSE Africa All Shares Index rose 1.8 percent as Harmony Gold Mining Co. rallied the most since 2008 amid a climbed in the precious metal. Mining company Vale SA helped drive Brazil’s Ibovespa to the best position in two months. Mexico’s peso reversed an earlier advance after President Enrique Pena Nieto unveiled his plan to boost private investment in the state-controlled oil industry.

Emerging ETF

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index exchange-traded fund added 0.9 percent to $39.73. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Emerging Markets ETF Volatility Index, a measure of options prices on the fund and expectations of price swings, pulled back 4.7 percent to 21.74.

South Africa

The FTSE/JSE Africa All-Share Index advanced to the highest level since at least 1995, led by Harmony, which soared 21 percent. Gold capped the longest rally in four weeks.

Russia’s Micex Index rose a second day, led by OAO RusHydro. Benchmark gauges in Turkey and Poland added more than 1 percent, while stocks in Hungary were little changed.

The Shanghai Composite Index advanced 2.4 percent, the most since July 11. China Shenhua Energy Co., the nation’s biggest coal producer, rallied 6.1 percent and Jiangxi Copper Co., the largest copper producer, had its biggest gain in a month. Poly Real Estate Group Co. soared 5 percent.

Indian stocks skyrocketed as Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., India’s largest drug maker, jumped after displaying a 56 percent gain in net income before a one-time charge. The rupee weakened 0.7 percent per dollar.

The premium investors demand to own emerging-market debt over U.S. Treasuries slid 0.06 percentage point to 323 basis points, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co.