U.S. stock-index futures climbed, as data showed fewer Americans than projected filed applications for unemployment benefits last week.

Global markets:

Nikkei 16,174.44 +164.45 +1.03 %

Hang Seng 23,179.55 +257.99 +1.13 %

Shanghai Composite 2,073.1 -33.25 -1.58 %

Crude oil $99.45 (+0.23%).

Gold $1212.40 (+0.76%).

Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark poised for its longest winning streak in three months, led by Japanese stocks as the Topix index rose to a five-year high after the yen fell.

Nikkei 225 16,174.44 +164.45 +1.03%

S&P/ASX 200 Closed

Shanghai Composite 2,073 -33.25 -1.58%

Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s biggest carmaker, advanced 2.9 percent in Tokyo.

SoftBank Corp. added 3.4 percent in Tokyo on a report it’s likely to raise funds to buy T-Mobile US Inc. in the U.S. bond market.

Rex International Holding Ltd. slumped 9.4 percent in Singapore after the oil explorer said a joint venture suspended its first well in Oman.