Asia’s benchmark stocks gauge traded at an 18-month high as earnings from Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Leighton Holdings Ltd. boosted investor optimism. Japanese shares dropped as a stronger yen soured the earnings outlook for exporters.

Nikkei 225 11,251.41 -117.71 -1.04%

Hang Seng Closed

S&P/ASX 200 5,003.66 +44.67 +0.90%

Shanghai Composite Closed

Commonwealth Bank, the nation’s largest lender, climbed 2.4 percent as retail banking and wealth management boosted first- half profit by 1 percent.

Leighton, Australia’s largest construction company, surged 11 percent after returning to full- year profit and reducing debt levels.

Toyota Motor Corp. slid 1.8 percent in Tokyo as the yen gained against all 16 major peers.

Gree Inc., a Japanese social-network game operator, plunged after cutting its profit forecast.