Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks advanced in U.S. trading after Cnooc Ltd.'s profit beat analysts' estimates and a forecast from Seagate Technology spurred gains in Nidec Corp. and other computer-related shares.

The Bank of New York Co.'s Asia ADR Index, tracking the region's American depositary receipts, climbed 3.1 percent to 159.96, the biggest increase since March 6.

Cnooc jumped $5.59 to $119.44. China's largest offshore oil producer said first-half profit fell 11 percent to 14.6 billion yuan ($1.9 billion) as crude prices declined. Analysts had estimated a median 15 percent decline in a Bloomberg News survey.

Other Chinese energy shares also rose as oil advanced above $73 a barrel in New York to a three-week high. PetroChina Co. advanced $6.81 to $146.20 while China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. added $7.24 to $109.89.

Seagate, the world's largest maker of hard-disk drives, boosted its profit and revenue forecast for the current quarter.

Nidec Corp. of Japan, the world's biggest maker of motors for hard-disk drives, rallied 95 cents to $16.85. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world's largest supplier of made-to-order chips, increased 33 cents to $9.73.

China Southern Airlines Co. surged $6.96 to $63. Air China Ltd., facing growing competition as the country opens its skies, will consider merging with rivals including China Southern to fend off Singapore Airlines Ltd. and other overseas carriers, according to Air China President Cai Jianjiang.

Nikkei 225 Stock Average futures expiring in September were at 16,375 in Chicago and 16,050 in both Singapore and Osaka.

To contact the reporter on this story: Lu Wang in New York at lwang8@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: August 29, 2007 16:40 EDT