Mainland China investors these days are often focused on how well U.S. stocks are doing — and bemoaning tepid performance at home. But a look at first-half performance shows that many China stocks still rose by double-digits, including a few artificial intelligence plays. Zhongji Innolight Ranking third in CSI 300 performance in the first half was Zhongji Innolight, which climbed 70%. Nomura rates Zhongji Innolight a buy and its analysts met with the optical communication company in late June. The broad mainland China stock market, measured in Class A shares, has underperformed over the past two years, said Wanda Wang, a research manager at Morningstar.

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Persons: BofA, Nomura, Wanda Wang, That's, Invesco's, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Nvidia, CSI, Apple, Foxconn, Bank of America Securities, Industrial, FII, Avary Holding, Avary, Chartered Bank, HSBC, JPMorgan, Nomura, Nasdaq, U.S, Morningstar, Capital, Shenzhen Stock Exchange Locations: China, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Avary Holding Shenzhen, Hong Kong