Asian stocks climbed, after the regional benchmark index yesterday erased this year's gain, as U.S. economic data beat estimates and concern eased that the Federal Reserve will reduce record stimulus.

Nikkei 225 12,686.52 +241.14 +1.94%

Hang Seng 21,028.74 +141.70 +0.68%

S&P/ASX 200 4,791.8 +96.04 +2.05%

Shanghai Composite 2,162.04 +13.69 +0.64%

Nissan Motor Co., the country's second-largest carmaker, added 0.7 percent.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., the nation's No. 2 maker of heavy equipment, climbed 4.3 percent after removing its president and ending merger talks with Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co.