Nikkei: 9,864.26 (+45.50) Hang Seng: 23,291.80 (-44.20) Shanghai Comp: 2,883.89 (-6.74):ASIAN STOCKS rose yesterday, with a regional benchmark index climbing for a third straight day, after oil and metal prices advanced.

Japanese shares gained as companies reported improving earnings and a weaker yen boosted exporters’ prospects.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.5 per cent, the most in more than a week, to 138.64.

In Sydney, BHP Billiton rose 1.7 per cent, while Rio Tinto, the world’s second-largest mining company, gained 2.3 per cent.

David Jones, Australia’s second-largest department store chain, added 2.5 per cent after affirming its annual earnings forecast.

In Hong Kong, Jiangxi Copper, China’s largest producer of the metal, gained 0.4 per cent.

In Seoul, Korea Zinc rose 2.8 per cent, refiners S-Oil gained 2.5 per cent and SK Innovation climbed 3 per cent after petrol futures rose as much as 3.1 per cent.

In Tokyo, Sumitomo Rubber added 4.9 per cent after raising its full- year profit forecast by 28 per cent. Orix, a financial-services company, climbed 4 per cent after posting full-year net income 78 per cent higher than a year earlier. Toyota rose 0.6 per cent and Honda added 2.1 per cent. – (Bloomberg)