Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index heading for its longest streak of gains in three years, amid speculation the Federal Reserve will step up monetary easing.

Nikkei 225 9,581.46 +56.14 +0.59%

S&P/ASX 200 4,583.81 +7.81 +0.17%

Shanghai Composite 2,082.73 +8.02 +0.39%

James Hardie Industries SE, a building-materials supplier that counts the U.S. as its biggest market, added 1.7 percent in Sydney.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. jumped 8.9 percent after the Nikkei newspaper reported the Japanese carmaker’s withdrawal from European production will boost its profit.