ADRs in Focus: Asia

JA Solar Holdings Co. advanced $1.94, or 12.2 percent, to $17.79, and Suntech Power Holdings Co. rose $4.67, or 10.5 percent, to $49.35, following upbeat comments from Lehman's Vishal Shah.

"Although fourth-quarter earnings results are likely to drive short-term share price performance, we believe the risk/reward looks attractive for solar stocks, especially as expectations get reset around earnings season over the next few weeks," Shah wrote in a client note.

The Bank of New York Asia ADR Index, which includes shares of companies based in New Zealand, India, China and others, rose 0.63 points to 149.59. The index is down around 10 percent year-to-date. ADR stands for American Depositary Receipt, which is a security designed to allow U.S. investors to trade shares of companies based overseas.

Chinese real estate agency E-House China Holdings Ltd. rose 38 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $16.88. In a client note, Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Hao Hong said economic development and continued secular growth in home ownership bode well for China's property market.

Chinese Internet company Baidu.com Inc. rose after a Pacific Crest analyst upgraded the stock to "Outperform" from "Sector Perform" on expectations for strong fourth-quarter results and sustainable growth.

Shares advanced $12.80, or 5.5 percent, to $246.71.

On the losing side, Sterlite Industries India Ltd. declined 90 cents, or 4.6 percent, to $18.54.

India's HDFC Bank Ltd. lost $3.37, or 3 percent, to $108.07.

And Indian auto company Tata Motors Ltd. declined 56 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $17.72.