Asian stocks rose, with a regional benchmark index set for the highest close in six weeks, as economic reports in the U.S. and Germany beat estimates and oil prices gained.

Nikkei 225 8,551 +84.18 +0.99%

Hang Seng 19,668 +40.24 +0.21%

S&P/ASX 200 4,218 +2.25 +0.05%

Shanghai Composite 2,266 -31.99 -1.39%

Fanuc Corp. (6954), a Japanese maker of factory automation systems that gets 75 percent of its sales abroad, rose 4.2 percent.

Inpex Corp. (1605), Japan’s biggest energy explorer, advanced 1.8 percent.

BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP), Australia’s No. 1 oil and gas producer, gained 0.8 percent after reporting plans to boost exploration spending.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. surged 7.8 percent after the utility said it will raise power prices.