Nikkei: 8,748.47 (–13.84) Hang Seng: 19,066.54 (+98.34) Shanghai Comp: 2,427.48 (+17.81)MOST ASIAN stocks rose yesterday, as speculation China may begin easing monetary policy tempered uncertainty about the outcome of European debt-crisis talks.

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao said that economic policy would be fine-tuned as needed and the industry ministry said it was studying “stimulative policies” for smaller companies as a global slowdown threatens growth.

Country Garden rose 3.6 per cent to HK$2.86 in Hong Kong.

China Minsheng Banking, a commercial bank, gained 5 per cent to HK$6.48.

Honda Motor, Japan’s second largest car maker by market value, fell 0.6 per cent to ¥2,329.

Samsung Electronics, South Korea’s biggest exporter of consumer electronics, retreated 1.2 per cent to 934,000 won.

Gold producers rose as futures on the metal extended a 2.9 per cent advance in New York. Newcrest Mining rose 3.5 per cent to A$34.40. Its rival St Barbara added 2.3 per cent to A$2.23.

Olympus, a maker of endoscopes, fell 7.6 per cent to ¥1,099 after being placed on margin trading watch list by the Tokyo Stock Exchange. – (Bloomberg)