Asian Stocks Extend Rally On Stimulus Optimism; Oil Gains

Asian stocks advanced the most in more than two months as oil and copper climbed on speculation policy makers around the world will take steps to revive the slowing economy. The Australian dollar rose to a three-week high after employers unexpectedly added jobs in May.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index increased 1.5 percent by 1:06 p.m. in Tokyo, rising for a third day and heading for its biggest gain since March 27. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 1 percent, while Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures rose 0.3 percent. Oil gained 0.6 percent in New York and copper rallied 0.6 percent. The Aussie strengthened 0.2 percent against the U.S. currency, while the cost of insuring Australian corporate bonds from default declined the most since Feb. 1.

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said officials stand ready to act as the euro region’s growth outlook worsens. Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Janet Yellen said the U.S. economy “remains vulnerable to setbacks” and may warrant additional monetary stimulus. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged to revive growth in Asia’s third-largest economy through infrastructure spending. The number of people employed in Australia rose by 38,900 last month, the statistics bureau said.

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