i Develop Stocks Advisory

Asian Stocks Advance, Paced by Technology

Asian stocks rose for the first time in three days, led by technology and energy companies, after analysts upgraded Samsung Electronics Co. and crude oil advanced to a record.

Samsung Electronics, the world's biggest computer-memory maker, climbed after JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its share price estimate, citing a positive profit outlook. Woodside Petroleum Ltd., Australia's second-biggest oil and gas explorer, jumped the most in a week.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 0.5 percent to 143.61 as of 12:09 p.m. in Tokyo. Nine of the index's 10 industry groups advanced. The measure has fallen 9 percent this year on concern the U.S. economy will slip into a recession. About five stocks declined today for every four that rose.

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 0.6 percent to 13,034.48. Mitsui Fudosan Co., Japan's largest developer by sales, and Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. slumped after Credit Suisse Group cut their stock ratings.