Asian stocks rose, with a regional index heading for its longest winning streak in three months, as investors bet Australia’s central bank will cut interest rates tomorrow, corporate earnings beat estimates and confidence among South Korean manufacturers improved.

Nikkei 225 Closed

Hang Seng 21,094.21 +352.76 +1.70%

S&P/ASX 200 4,396.58 +34.53 +0.79%

Shanghai Composite Closed

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. advanced 1.1 percent on speculation the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut interest rates to bolster economic growth.

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest mining company, increased 1.9 percent in Sydney as copper futures gained.

Samsung Heavy Industries Co. jumped 5.8 percent in Seoul after the nation’s No. 2 shipbuilder posted earnings that beat analysts’ estimates.