Asian stocks rose after slower growth in U.S. payrolls eased concern the Federal Reserve will accelerate cuts to stimulus.

Nikkei 225 Closed

Hang Seng 22,884.98 +38.73 +0.17%

S&P/ASX 200 5,292.08 -20.31 -0.38%

Shanghai Composite 2,009.56 -3.73 -0.19%

Newcrest Mining Ltd., a Australia gold producer, advanced 6.1 percent as the precious metal climbed after the U.S. jobs data.

Dongbu Steel Co. jumped 15 percent, heading for the highest closing level in seven months, after the Maeil Business newspaper reported companies are interested in buying one of its factories and a stake in Dongbu Metal Co.

Hyundai Motor Co. climbed 3.6 percent in Seoul as consumer discretionary firms posted the largest gains among the 10 industry groups on the regional benchmark index.