Asian stocks rose for the first time in three days after Citigroup Inc. raised Samsung Electronics Co.'s price estimate and Morgan Stanley lifted its rating on companies that make automobile batteries. The dollar weakened for the first time in three days against the euro on speculation Group? of? 20 leaders this week will call for gains in other currencies to help reduce global trade imbalances.

The greenback fell versus 14 of the 16 major currencies after a spokesman for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the leaders meeting in Pittsburgh on Sept. 24?25 will discuss "a framework for balanced and sustainable growth," including reform in deficit and surplus countries. New Zealand's dollar rose toward a six? week high against the yen after a government report showed the current? account deficit shrank to the narrowest in more than four years.

High US unemployment keeps pushing up the rate of mortgage delinquencies, which could in turn drive personal bankruptcies and home foreclosures, monthly data from the Equifax Inc credit bureau showed on Monday. Among US homeowners with mortgages, a record 7.58% were at least 30 days late on payments in August, up from 7.32% in July.

China Investment Corp., the nation's sovereign wealth fund, bought a
15% stake in commodity supplier Noble Group Ltd. as it increases investments in raw materials.

The yuan may gain 24% to 5.5 per dollar by 2015 as China will keep posting current? account surpluses and President Barack Obama presses for appreciation, according to Standard Chartered Plc.

China's stimulus spending and record bank lending are delaying efforts to restructure the economy away from investment? and export? led growth toward consumption, said the Asian Development Bank. Asian economies will expand at a faster? than? expected pace this year and next as growth in China, India and Indonesia strengthens, the Asian Development Bank said.