Asian stocks open on a positive note

Asian stocks rose as higher metal prices boosted mining companies, James Hardie Industries forecast earnings at the top of a range and on speculation Korea Exchange Bank will get a takeover offer.

Newcrest Mining added 3% in Sydney as gold prices increased for the seventh straight session. Korea Exchange Bank gained almost 4% after Hana Financial Group Inc. said it would consider a bid.

Hong Kong`s Hang Seng is gained 85.85 points, or 0.38%, at 22,541.69.

China`s Shanghai Composite increased 14.93 points, or 0.45% to trade at 3,323.28.

Taiwan`s Taiex index climbed 10.45 points, or 0.14%, to trade at 7,693.42.

South Korea`s Kospi index fell 5.24 points, or 0.32% to trade at 1,615.36.

Singapore`s Straits Times index went up 23.72 points, or to 0.86% trade at 2,785.26. (7.40 a.m., IST)

Japan`s Nikkei is not trading today.