Asian stocks open in green

Asian stocks advanced for a third day, led by banks and mining companies, after Australian employers unexpectedly added workers last month and Alcoa reported earnings that beat analysts` estimates.

Alumina climbed more than 4.5% in Sydney. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Nippon Yusen K.K climbed more than 6% after being upgraded by Bank of America-Merrill Lynch.

Japanese benchmark index Nikkei 225 gained 49.81 points, or 0.51%, to trade at 9,849.41.

Hong Kong`s Hang Seng index rose 88.35 points, or 0.42%, to trade at 21,329.94.

Taiwan`s Taiex index climbed 18.31 points, or 0.24%, to trade at 7,626.97.

South Korea`s Kospi index advanced 10.56 points, or 0.66% to trade at 1,608.56.

Singapore`s Straits Times went up 13.46 points, or 0.51%, to trade at 2,648.09. (8.08 a.m., IST)

Chinese markets are not trading today.