Asian stocks rose as U.S. lawmakers said they’re optimistic for an agreement to avoid automatic spending cuts and tax increases and as the leader of Japan’s opposition party called for unlimited monetary policy easing.

Nikkei 225 9,400.88 +92.53 +0.99%

S&P/ASX 200 4,477.73 +30.42 +0.68%

Shanghai Composite 1,963.49 -10.04 -0.51%

Honda Motor Co., a carmaker that gets 44 percent of its sales in North America, gained 2 percent in Tokyo.

Sky Network Television Ltd., New Zealand’s largest pay-TV operator, jumped the most in more than a year in Wellington after announcing a special dividend.