Nikkei: 8,843.98 (+165.09) Hang Seng: 18,771.82 (+746.10) Shanghai Comp: 2,370.33 (+53.06)ASIAN STOCKS climbed for a second day yesterday, as a report showed China's manufacturing may expand for the first time in four months.

“Economic expectations got so depressed during the September market rout that any signs of improvement in the economic outlook should have a positive effect on the market,” Nader Naeimi, strategist for AMP Capital Investors, said.

Honda advanced 2.6 per cent to ¥2,355. Toyota, the world’s biggest car maker by market value, rose 1.3 per cent to ¥2,580 and Suzuki climbed 2.7 per cent to ¥1,682.

Bridgestone, a tyre maker, rose 4.1 per cent to ¥1,764. The company aims to expand production in China.

Samsung Engineering, South Korea’s biggest construction and engineering company, surged 6.3 per cent to 237,500 won.

Bank of China increased 6 per cent to HK$2.81.

BHP Billiton gained 3.2 per cent to A$36.85 in Sydney.

Korea Zinc, South Korea’s biggest zinc smelter, surged 13 per cent to 319,000 won in Seoul.

Cnooc increased 6.5 per cent to HK$13.68 in Tokyo. – (Bloomberg)