Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index headed for its first advance in five days, as corporate profits beat estimates and U.S. housing data added to signs the world’s biggest economy is improving.

Nikkei 225 9,561.01 +92.97 +0.98%

Hang Seng 20,659.54 -17.62 -0.09%

S&P/ASX 200 Closed

Shanghai Composite 2,406.81 +17.98 +0.75%

Samsung Electronics Co., Asia’s largest consumer electronics maker, rose 1.7 percent in Seoul.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., a maker of Apple Inc. products, added 2.4 percent in Taipei as Apple’s profit almost doubled last quarter.

Nomura Holdings Inc., Japan’s largest brokerage, rose 2.4 percent on speculation it may post higher net income.

Yoshinoya Holdings Co., a restaurant chain that imports beef, fell 2.4 percent in Tokyo after a case of mad-cow disease was found in the U.S.