Asian stocks gained as manufacturing in the U.S. and China improved in April, adding to signs the world’s biggest economies are recovering and boosting the outlook for the region’s exporters.

Nikkei 225 9,380.25 +29.30 +0.31%

Hang Seng 21,353.64 +259.43 +1.23%

S&P/ASX 200 4,435.9 +6.39 +0.14%

Shanghai Composite 2,438.44 +42.12 +1.76%

Samsung Electronics Co., the world’s No. 1 mobile-phone maker by sales, climbed 1.4 percent in Seoul.

Japan Tobacco Inc. gained 2.4 percent after Asia’s largest cigarette maker said it will raise its dividend payout.

Idemitsu Kosan Co. jumped 4.6 percent after Japan’s third-biggest oil refiner posted earnings that beat expectations.

Asustek Computer Inc. surged 7 percent in Taipei after the laptop maker reported net income that exceeded analysts’ estimates.