Nikkei: 9,060.80 (+105.60) Hang Seng: 20,585.33 (+50.48) Shanghai Comp: 2,556.04 (–11.30)ASIAN STOCKS soared yesterday, with the regional benchmark index set for its longest streak of gains since January, as manufacturing in China and the US expanded, boosting the outlook for exporters and machinery makers.
James Hardie Industries, a supplier of building materials that counts the US as its biggest market, gained 3.5 per cent to A$6.16 in Sydney.
Li Fung, a supplier of toys and clothes to US retailers including Wal-Mart, surged 5.7 per cent after the company’s chairman said sales are recov-ering.
Exporters advanced on speculation shipments to the US, the biggest market for Asian products, will increase.
Honda Motor, a car maker that gets 44 per cent of sales from North America, rose 3.4 per cent to ¥2,557 in Tokyo.
Samsung Electronics, South Korea’s exporter of consumer electronics, gained 3.6 per cent to 771,000 won in Seoul.
Property Holdings rose 5.6 per cent to HK$8.65 in Hong Kong.
Fanuc, a maker of industrial robots, climbed 2.8 per cent to ¥12,970 in Tokyo. – (Reuters)
