James Hardie Industries NV, which makes most of its revenue selling home siding in the U.S., increased 2.1 percent in Sydney. HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe’s biggest bank by market value, gained 1.5 percent in Hong Kong. Hyundai Motor Co. (005380), South Korea’s largest automaker, climbed 3.2 percent in Seoul after U.S. sales advanced last month. Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (9107), Japan’s third-biggest shipping line by sales, jumped 4.7 percent in Tokyo as container freight rates on Asia to Europe routes rose.

“The U.S. economy overall is headed for a mild recovery, and that’s supporting stocks,” said Kiyoshi Ishigane, a Tokyo- based strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co., which oversees about $84 billion. “The Greek debt crisis isn’t fully resolved yet, but it has calmed down for now.”

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index (MXAP) rose 0.4 percent to 128.44 as of 11:20 a.m. in Tokyo. The gauge is headed for a 0.4 percent gain for the week and is set to extend its 10-week winning streak, the longest such run of gains since its inception in 1988. Shares have gained amid optimism about the strength of U.S. economic recovery and that China will relax its monetary policy.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average (NKY) advanced 0.4 percent, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index increased 0.3 percent and South Korea’s Kospi Index gained 0.5 percent.

Hong Kong, Shanghai

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (HSI) rose 1 percent and China’s Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.8 percent amid speculation the government may introduce policies to support economic growth at a national congress next week.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbed 12 percent this year through yesterday, compared with a 9.3 percent advance by the S&P 500 and a 9.2 percent increase by the Stoxx Europe 600 Index. Stocks in the Asian benchmark are valued at 14.9 times estimated earnings on average, compared with 13.2 times for the S&P 500 and 11.1 times for the Stoxx 600.

Futures on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (SPXL1) were little changed today after the gauge rose 0.6 percent to the highest level since June 2008 in New York yesterday after a government report showed the number of Americans filing first-time claims for jobless benefits fell to a level matching a four-year low, more evidence the labor market is healing.

In Europe, governments may pay the first two annual installments into a 500 billion-euro ($666 billion) fund this year and complete the capitalization in 2015, a year ahead of schedule. A decision will come later today.

To contact the reporters on this story: Kana Nishizawa in Hong Kong at knishizawa5@bloomberg.net; Norie Kuboyama in Tokyo at nkuboyama@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nick Gentle at ngentle2@bloomberg.net

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-01/japanese-futures-gain-on-u-s-jobless-claims.html

• Asian Stocks Rise on Faster Japan Inflation, U.S. Outlook   (2014-05-30 09:33:27)
• Asian Stocks Rise on Faster Japan Inflation, U.S. Outlook   (2014-05-30 09:33:27)
• Asian Stocks Rise on Faster Japan Inflation, U.S. Outlook   (2014-05-30 09:33:02)
• Asian Stocks Fluctuate After Japan Retail Sales Slump   (2014-05-29 09:37:51)
• Asian Stocks Fall Second Day as Health-Care Shares Drop   (2014-04-08 08:52:58)
• Industrial Stocks Take ETF Bounty   (2014-04-08 08:52:29)
• Asian Stocks Set for Second Weekly Gain Before U.S. Jobs   (2014-04-04 09:46:16)
• Australia Model Curbs Speed as CEO Says U.S. Too Far Gone   (2014-04-04 09:45:49)
• Asia Stocks Rise 4th Day as Consumer Shares Lead Gain   (2014-03-31 10:48:33)
• Asia Stocks Swing After U.S. Manufacturing Index Falls   (2014-03-25 11:29:14)