Asian stocks rose, spurring a record start to the year for the regional benchmark index, amid signs China will relax credit controls and after confidence among U.S. home builders beat estimates.

Nikkei 225 8,640 +89.10 +1.04%

Hang Seng 19,943 +256.03 +1.30%

S&P/ASX 200 4,215 -3.11 -0.07%

Shanghai Composite 2,296 +29.69 +1.31%

Toyota Motor Corp. (7203), the world’s biggest carmaker by market value, advanced 1.4 percent in Tokyo.

Sumco Corp. (3436) led gains in semiconductor-related companies after ASML Holding NV, Europe’s largest maker of semiconductor equipment, forecast higher first- quarter orders.

Agile Property Holdings (3383) Ltd., a Chinese property developer, rose 6.9 percent in Hong Kong on speculation China may ease capital requirements for lenders.