Asian stocks rose the first time in three days, with a regional gauge set for the highest close since June 2008, after U.S. consumer sentiment beat estimates and Tokyo Electric Power Co. led Japanese utilities higher.

Nikkei 225 15,360.81 +222.69 +1.47%

S&P/ASX 200 5,209 +28.23 +0.54%

Shanghai Composite 2,299.2 +16.33 +0.72%

Li & Fung Ltd., a supplier of toys and clothing that gets 63 percent of its sales in the U.S., gained 2 percent in Hong Kong.

Osaka Gas Co. advanced to the highest in more than five years after the U.S. conditionally approved a Texas liquefied natural gas project partially owned by the energy supplier.

Tokyo Electric Power soared 16 percent after the Yomiuri newspaper said it will apply to restart reactors.