Asian Stocks Advance as China Flash PMI Points to Rebound

Asian stocks gained, with the regional benchmark index headed for its highest close in two weeks, on signs the U.S. jobs markets is stabilizing and Chinese manufacturing is recovering.

BHP Billiton Ltd., a mining company that counts China as its biggest market, gained 1 percent in Sydney. Honda Motor Co., a Japanese carmaker that gets about 44 percent of sales from North America, climbed 3.5 percent as the weakened yen and U.S. claims for jobless benefits fell. Sharp Corp. advanced 4.3 percent after Japan’s largest maker of liquid-crystal displays said it has found customers for panels used in smartphones.