Asian stocks swung between gains and losses as health care shares rose while energy companies and materials producers declined. Japanese equities climbed as the yen weakened.

Nikkei 225 14,194.71 +156.87 +1.12%

Hang Seng 22,951.3 -82.67 -0.36%

S&P/ASX 200 5,147.14 -5.85 -0.11%

Shanghai Composite 2,211.77 +13.57 +0.62%

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s biggest mining company, fell 0.6 percent in Sydney to the lowest close since July 29.

Alfresa Holdings Corp., which makes drugs and medical devices, gained 3.1 percent in Tokyo.

Honda Motor Co., the Japanese carmaker that gets almost half its sales in North America, added 2.5 percent as the yen slid for a third day on optimism the U.S. government will avoid default.

Sa Sa International Holdings Ltd. dropped 5.3 percent in Hong Kong after Credit Suisse Group AG said the cosmetic retailer’s sales during China’s week-long holiday missed estimates.