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Jakarta, Financeroll.com - Asian stocks gained for a third day, led by financial and commodity companies, on optimism bank earnings will recover and metal prices jumped.

Mizuho Financial Group Inc. jumped 3.7 percent on speculation the Bank of Japan may act to shore up bank capital and after London-based Barclays Plc said it had a strong start to 2009. BHP Billiton Ltd. rose 2.2 percent as copper climbed to a four-month high yesterday. Woodside Petroleum Ltd. gained 2.3 percent on higher oil prices.

This upward movement in the market could continue until the early part of April. Expectations are heightening that we’ll see some additional policies designed to aid the economy and boost stock prices.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.9 percent to 76.93. Nikkei 225 gained 1.5 percent to 7,818.82, Kospi Index rose 1.3 percent. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index climbed 1.8 percent.

Mizuho gained 3.7 percent to 196 yen in Tokyo. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Ltd. rose 3.4 percent to 456 yen.

BHP rose 2.2 percent to A$31.68. Rio Tinto Ltd. gained 1.2 percent to A$51.38. Woodside Petroleum rose 2.3 percent to A$36.88 in Sydney. Inpex Corp. gained 3.1 percent to 664,000.