Asian stocks open on a positive note

Asian stocks opened on a positive note. Losses from Isuzu Motors and Elpida Memory dragged auto and technology companies lower. Utility and healthcare companies, the region`s worst performers in the past six months, advanced.

Isuzu sank almost 6% and Elpida slumped almost 4.5%. Kansai Electric Power advanced more than 2%.

Japanese benchmark index Nikkei fell 8.72 points, or 0.08%, to trade at 10,366.29.

Hong Kong`s Hang Seng index rose 100.97 points, or 0.49%, to trade at 20,897.40.

China`s Shanghai Composite decreased 11.11 points, or 0.32% to trade at 3,460.33.

Taiwan`s Taiex index increased 25.37 points, or 0.36%, to trade at 6,981.24.

South Korea`s Kospi index advanced 0.31 points, or 0.02%, to trade at 1,566.68.

Singapore`s Straits Times jumped 9.47 points, or 0.36%, to trade at 2,658.23. (8.07 a.m., IST)