Asian stock exchanges rise on US, China manufacturing statistics

Asian stocks gained as manufacturing in the United States and China improved in April, adding to signs that the world's two biggest economies are recovering and boosting the outlook for the region's exporters.

Samsung Electronics Co, the world's No 1 mobile-phone maker by sales, climbed 1.4 percent in Seoul. Japan Tobacco Inc gained 2.4 percent after Asia's largest cigarette maker said it will raise its dividend payout. Idemitsu Kosan Co jumped 4.6 percent after Japan's third-biggest oil refiner posted earnings that beat expectations.

"I'm not that worried about growth in China," said Masahiko Ejiri, a senior fund manager in Tokyo at Mizuho Asset Management Co. "We are quite positive about the Chinese economy and the prospects for the equity market. There will be more enthusiasm coming for the second half of the year."