Asian stocks rose, led by mining companies, after faster-than-forecast U.S. employment growth bolstered optimism in the world's largest economy, pushing a regional equities gauge toward a ten-week high.

Nikkei 225 Closed

Hang Seng 22,917.22 +227.26 +1.00%

S&P/ASX 200 5,156.2 +26.70 +0.52%

Shanghai Composite 2,231.42 +25.92 +1.18%

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining company, advanced 2.8 percent in Sydney.

Malayan Banking Bhd., the company with the second-largest weighting on the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index, briefly advanced to a record high after Prime Minister Najib Razak won a clear majority in a general election, giving him a mandate to continue his economic reforms.

Cosco Corp. Singapore Ltd., the shipbuilding unit of China's biggest shipping company, lost 5.2 percent as profit plunged 65 percent.