Asian stocks open on positive note

Asian stocks rose as forecasts from Olympus Corp and Nissan Motor boosted confidence that the corporate earnings are recovering from the global recession.

Nissan gained 5.5% after predicting a narrower loss than analysts estimated.

Japanese benchmark index Nikkei gained 19.91 points, or 0.21%, to trade at 9,318.52.

Hong Kong`s Hang Seng index declined 55.82 points, or 0.33%, to trade at 17,097.82.

China`s Shanghai Composite advanced 1.67 points, or 0.06%, to trade at 2,619.84.

Taiwan`s Taiex index went up 56.43 points, or 0.88%, to trade at 6,488.98.

South Korea`s Kospi index increased 5.07 points, or 0.36%, to trade at 1,408.58.

Singapore`s Straits Times rose 1.51 points, or 0.07%, to trade at 2,179.64. (7.41 a.m., IST)