Asian stocks gained for a second day, with the regional benchmark index heading for its biggest advance in a month, after President Barack Obama expressed confidence that he and Congress will reach a budget agreement.

Nikkei 225 9,153.2 +129.04 +1.43%

S&P/ASX 200 4,361.45 +24.60 +0.57%

Shanghai Composite 2,016.98 +2.26 +0.11%

Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s biggest carmaker, rose 1.4 percent in Tokyo.

Japan Tobacco Inc. jumped 6.5 percent as the government plans to postpone the sale of its stake in the cigarette maker.