Asian stocks gained, with the regional benchmark index headed for its highest close in two weeks, on signs the U.S. jobs markets is stabilizing and Chinese manufacturing is recovering.

Companies that do business with China gained. The nation’s manufacturing may expand for the first time in 13 months in November, according to a preliminary survey released today by HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics.

Nikkei 225 9,366.8  +144.28 +1.56%      

S&P/ASX 200 4,413.07   +43.57 +1.00%        

Shanghai Composite 2,015.61   -14.71 -0.72%

BHP Billiton Ltd., a mining company that counts China as its biggest market, gained 1 percent in Sydney.

Honda Motor Co., a Japanese carmaker that gets about 44 percent of sales from North America, climbed 3.5 percent as the weakened yen and U.S. claims for jobless benefits fell.

Sharp Corp. advanced 4.3 percent after Japan’s largest maker of liquid-crystal displays said it has found customers for panels used in smartphones.