Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index heading for the highest closing level since June 2008, after U.S. housing sales gained and amid speculation central banks will keep stimulating growth.

Nikkei 225 13,860.86 -23.27 -0.17%

Hang Seng 22,737.01 +156.24 +0.69%

S&P/ASX 200 5,191.22 +65.41 +1.28%

Shanghai Composite Closed

Samsung Electronics Co., South Korea's biggest exporter of consumer electronics, rose 2.6 percent.

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd., Australia's third-largest lender, jumped 5.8 percent to close at a record in Sydney after boosting its dividend as first-half cash profit climbed 10 percent.