Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index set to extend its longest weekly winning streak on record, after U.S. jobless claims fell and European leaders agreed to speed up providing a permanent bailout fund for the region’s debt crisis.

Nikkei 225 9,777.03 +69.66 +0.72%

Hang Seng 21,562.26 +174.30 +0.81%

S&P/ASX 200 4,273.1 +17.56 +0.41%

Shanghai Composite 2,460.69 +34.58 +1.43%

James Hardie Industries NV, which makes most of its revenue selling home siding in the U.S., increased 1.4 percent in Sydney.

HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe’s biggest bank by market value, gained 1.3 percent in Hong Kong.

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s No. 1 automaker, climbed 1.9 percent in Seoul after U.S. sales advanced last month.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd., Japan’s third-largest shipping line by sales, jumped 7.6 percent in Tokyo as container freight rates on Asia to Europe routes rose.