Asian stocks rose for a third day, with the regional benchmark index extending an 18-month high, amid signs the global economy is recovering.

Nikkei 225 11,468.28 +95.94 +0.84%

Hang Seng 23,307.41 +163.50 +0.71%

S&P/ASX 200 5,098.71 +16.82 +0.33%

Shanghai Composite 2,397.18 +14.26 +0.60%

South Korea’s Kospi Index led benchmark gauges higher after Bank of Korea Governor Kim Choong Soo said the world economic outlook is improving.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. led Japanese utilities higher.

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s largest mining company, fell 0.9 percent in Sydney after reporting a 58 percent drop in first-half profit.