Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index extending a three-month high, as slowing gains in China’s inflation, industrial production and car sales boosted bets policy makers will add stimulus to support growth in the region’s biggest economy.

Nikkei 225 8,978.6 +97.44 +1.10%

S&P/ASX 200 4,308.3 -4.26 -0.10%

Shanghai Composite 2,174.1 +13.11 +0.61%

China Minsheng Banking Corp., the nation’s first non-state lender, rose 1.5 percent.

Rio Tinto (RIO) Group climbed 3.6 percent in Sydney after earnings beat estimates and the mining company said a plan to sell diamond assets is “well advanced.”